Dr. Seyed Ali Mohammad Mousavi, D-8 Secretary-General, attended a conference on “Role of the D-8 towards Integration in Global Competitiveness” in Ondokuz Mayis University on 7 March 2016 in Samsun, Turkey. The D-8 Secretary-General interacted and exchanged with academicians and students during the conference.

In answering questions from academicians and students regarding the activities and achievements of D-8, Dr. Mousavi highlighted the D-8 trade volume and the figures: “The volume of D-8 intra-trade increased impressively from US$ 15 billion in 1997 to almost US$ 150 billion in 2012. By percentage share to the volume of D-8 total trade, growth of D-8 intra-trade increased from 3.4% in 1997 to 8.2% in 2012, which represents a solid improvement”, he added.

Answering another question regarding the D-8’s position in Muslim world, Dr. Mousavi referred to the commonality of membership between the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the D-8 and said that the D-8 Member States account for about 70% of the OIC population alongside the GDP and trade volume. He underlined that this potential of the D-8 gives a unique opportunity for close cooperation and collaborative partnership with a view to infusing dynamism, strengthening mutual relations and enhancing synergy as well as effective implementation of development programmes within the Islamic world. He added that the D-8 could be a unique forum in addressing economic and social prospects and challenges the Islamic Countries are facing with.

Responding to a question concerning other activities and cooperation areas of D-8, Secretary-General Mousavi explained that the objectives of D-8 are to improve position of the Member States in the global economy, diversify and create new opportunities in trade relations, enhance participation in decision-making at international level and improve standards of living.