Dr. Seyed AliMohammad Mousavi, the D-8 Secretary-General attended the UCLG-MEWA Council meeting and the Smart Cities and Innovation Summit held on 19-20 December 2014, in Adana Turkey. During the visit, he was also warmly received by the authorities and institutions. He met the Governor, Rector of University, the Chairmen of Commerce and Industry.

Dr. Mousavi’s visit to Adana, Turkey’s one of the important provinces with enormous agriculture and industry potentials, took place as part of the D-8’s external relations to establish and nurture effective partnership with local authorities and institutions in Turkey. Mr. Mustafa Büyük, the Governor of Adana assured the Secretary-General of their whole-hearted support to the D-8 Activities in Turkey. Secretary-General Mousavi thanked the Government of the Republic of Turkey through him for their continuous support toward the D-8 affairs. During his joint meeting with the Chairmen of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Adana, Mr. Atila Menev?e and Mr. Zeki K?vanç the Secretary-General underscored the need for more engagement in order to reach the target of 500 billion USD trade volume within the D-8 by 2018. 

Dr. Mousavi also met with Rector of Çukurova University, Prof.Dr. Mustafa K?BAR, part of his visit to Adana and discussed the possible cooperation in higher education, scientific research and strengthening of academic linkages between the D-8 Countries. Afterward his meeting with Mr Kibar, Dr. Mousavi addressed the audience in a seminar at the Çukurova  University. The D-8 Secretary-General interacted and exchanged with academicians and students. He highlighted that the D-8 with a combined population of over 1 (one) billion and a market size of more than $1 trillion, is set to emerge as one of the world’s most promising trade blocs and has achieved impressive progress in intra-trade of 150 Billion USD by 2012.  “We are looking forward to achieving the target of $500 billion for intra-trade by 2018, which has been set by our leaders”, added Dr. Mousavi. The conference ended with the round of questions by the audience at the university.