The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation has condoled with the victims of the February 6 Türkiye-Syria earthquake which claimed nearly 42000 lives.

In a statement issued by the D-8 Secretary General, Amb. Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, after the 46^th Meeting of the D-8 Commissioners which held from 15 to 16 February, 2023 in Istanbul, Türkiye, member countries of the organization expressed unanimous solidarity with the peoples and Governments of the Republic of Türkiye on the natural disaster.

In their respective country statements, the D-8 Commissioners offered their condolences to the victims of the earthquake that struck on 6 February 2023.

They expressed unanimous solidarity with the peoples and Government of the Republic of Türkiye on the unfortunate incident.

The D-8 also expressed confidence that with the outpouring of international assistance, including from the D-8 Member States, the situation would be normalized soon.

The Secretary-General also conveyed his condolences to those who lost their lives in the earthquake disaster in Türkiye.

At the meeting, Amb. Imam briefed member countries on the status update of the D-8 Organization and underlined the achievements of the Organization, exemplified by the increased activities of the Organization, since he assumed office in January, 2022.

The Secretary General also highlighted progress made in the sectoral areas of cooperation of the D-8, particularly in civil aviation, industry and SMEs, creative economy, trade and investment, and tourism.

Amb. Imam underlined the strengthened engagement with the United Nations and its specialized bodies, which will be the model of external cooperation with other international organizations.

During the meeting, attended by all the Commissioners from the D-8 Member States, the chairperson, Madame Wahida Ahmed, the D-8 Commissioner of Bangladesh, underlined the importance of developing alternative energy sources, augmenting agricultural productivity, and creative economic development strategies.

In her opening remarks, Ahmed underlined that the D-8 Organization has evolved and expanded its areas of cooperation, including technology, connectivity, youth empowerment, education, trade, and investment. She urged the Organization to embark on novel initiatives to address contemporary challenges.

The D-8 Member States reiterated their readiness to contribute to the activities for the development and growth of the Organization and discussed administrative and financial issues, such as budget, projects and initiatives, and expansion of cooperation with other international organizations, which are essential for the D-8 Organization.

While in Istanbul, the D-8 Commissioners also visited the D-8 Secretariat. The Secretary General underlined that the visit by the Commissioners to the Secretariat provided an opportunity to see firsthand the atmosphere of the Secretariat in executing mandates accorded to it.

The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation is an international organization founded by Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Türkiye in 1997.

The Organization focuses its activities on economic cooperation, with priorities in trade, agriculture and food security, energy, transportation, and tourism.

The D-8 Commission is composed of senior officials of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of D-8 Member Countries.