The Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) successfully held its D-8 Week in Baku, Azerbaijan from 13-17 October 2025. The D-8 Week, which was the first since the establishment of the organization in 1997, featured two significant high-level events, the D-8 Commissioners’ Retreat Meeting and the High-Level Climate and Urban Dialogue on Aligning Climate and Urban Action with the D-8 Decennial Roadmap 2020-2030. Both meetings were organized within the framework of the D-8 Week in Baku, by the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, marking an important milestone in advancing the Organization’s vision for deeper cooperation, sustainable development, and stronger institutional coordination among its Member States.

Held on 16 October 2025 and hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the D-8 Commissioners’ Retreat Meeting gathered D-8 Commissioners of Member States and their accompanying officers, in an informal strategic setting. The primary aim of the meeting was to foster an open exchange of views and ideas on key organizational issues and to collectively explore new approaches, for strengthening the cooperation framework of the D-8 Organization.

In his remarks, H.E. Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, Secretary-General of the D-8 Organization, presented an overview of the Organization’s recent activities, achievements, and ongoing initiatives, across multiple sectors. He also outlined flagship initiatives and projects launched by the D-8 Secretariat, aimed at enhancing intra-D-8 economic integration, fostering private-sector involvement, and promoting youth in the D-8 development agenda. He emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum toward the effective implementation of the D-8 Decennial Roadmap (2020–2030), which serves as a strategic guide for achieving the Organization’s long-term vision of inclusive, innovative, and sustainable economic growth.

During the Retreat, D-8 Commissioners engaged in extensive brainstorming sessions and exchanged views to identify effective strategies and practical mechanisms to advance the Organization’s objectives. They also shared their views, comments, and recommendations on key issues related to institutional efficiency, project implementation, and cooperation enhancement. The Commissioners provided valuable insights, on aligning the D-8’s collective efforts with the emerging global economic and environmental trends, particularly in the areas of trade, technology, and sustainable development.

The meeting further underscored the need to enhance the operational, financial and administrative capacity of the D-8 Secretariat, strengthen Member States’ engagement in ongoing projects, and expand partnerships with international and regional organizations, to achieve the goals set under the Decennial Roadmap. In this context it was resolved to establish a Committee on Reform to enhance the efficiency and expedite the operations of the Organization, with immediate commencement of its activities.

Building upon the outcomes of the Retreat, the High-Level Climate and Urban Dialogue was held on 17 October 2025 in Baku, under the theme “Aligning Climate and Urban Action with the D-8 Decennial Roadmap.” The event was hosted by the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and convened Ministers, Deputy Ministers, D-8 Commissioners, Mayors, senior officials, and experts from the D-8 Member States. The Dialogue provided a platform for Member States to share national experiences, best practices, and policy approaches, to address the challenges of climate change and sustainable urbanization.

In his remarks, Secretary-General Imam emphasized the urgent need for collective and coordinated action against the growing threats of climate change. He called for the integration of climate considerations into urban development planning and underlined three key areas for joint action:

• Anticipating and mitigating the severe impacts of the climate crisis, through forward-looking and inclusive urban planning;

• Investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, green spaces, and early-warning systems, to safeguard communities and promote adaptive capacity;

• Expanding the use of renewable energy, sustainable transportation systems, and circular economy practices, to reduce carbon emissions and ensure resource efficiency.

The Dialogue featured interventions from representatives of D-8 Member States on Climate and Urban Development, who delivered national statements and shared their perspectives on how D-8 cooperation can support the achievement of global and national climate objectives. They presented experiences in sustainable city management, green infrastructure development, and the transition to renewable energy systems, while expressing their readiness to collaborate through D-8 platforms and joint projects.

The outcomes of the Retreat Meeting and the High-Level Climate and Urban Dialogue will contribute to shaping the D-8’s upcoming initiatives and action plans in 2026, ensuring a coherent and impactful approach to economic cooperation, environmental sustainability, and urban resilience among its Member States — Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Türkiye.