The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Islamabad, in collaboration with the International Institute for Regional and International Studies (IIRIS), organized a discussion session titled “Towards the D-8 Summit: The Relevance of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation Amid Global Challenges” on 11 March 2026 at the Indonesian Corner, National Library of Pakistan in Islamabad.
The session was attended by Mr. Shafqat Rasool, President of IIRIS; Mr. Donny Ardiwidha, First Secretary for Political Affairs at the Indonenesian Embassy; and Mr. Rahmat Hindiarta Kusuma, Coordinator for the Information, Social, and Cultural Affairs at the Indonesian Embassy.
The event brought together Indonesian students from the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) and Pakistani students from several leading universities, including Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), National Defence University (NDU), Bahria University, Riphah International University, and the National University of Modern Languages (NUML).
The session served as an academic platform to examine the role of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation in addressing emerging global economic challenges.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Rasool welcomed diplomats, speakers, and students from Pakistan and Indonesia, emphasizing the importance of academic dialogue in strengthening multilateral cooperation and mutual understanding among D-8 member states.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. M. Saeed Uzzaman, Head of the Department of International Relations at NUML Rawalpindi, who presented on “Reinvigorating the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation: The Strategic Role of Pakistan–Indonesia Collaboration.”
Dr. Uzzaman highlighted the potential of D-8 as a dynamic South–South economic bloc, provided that member states enhance intra-D-8 trade, address connectivity gaps, strengthen logistics and maritime integration, and improve institutional capacity. He emphasized that such measures could increase intra-D-8 trade to more than USD 500 billion, contribute to a combined GDP of USD 8–10 trillion, and create over 50 million new jobs across D-8 member countries.
In his presentation titled “The Strength of D-8 Countries in Global Competition,” Mr. Ardiwidha underscored the strategic geographical positions of D-8 member states, which encompass three major global trade routes: the Strait of Malacca, the Suez Canal, and the Bosphorus Strait. He emphasized that the combination of strategic location and significant human capital positions will lead the D-8 as a potential stabilizing force in the global economy. “D-8 is a small group with a big impact,” he remarked.
Mr. Kusuma provided an overview of Indonesia’s chairmanship of the D-8 for the 2026–2027 period. He elaborated on the theme “Navigating Global Shifts: Strengthening Equality, Solidarity, and Cooperation for Shared Prosperity.”
Indonesia’s chairmanship will prioritize five key areas: economic and trade integration, halal economy development, blue economy and green transition, connectivity and digital transformation, and institutional reform. He also announced that a Special Session on Palestine will be included in the upcoming D-8 Summit agenda. “This is as part of Indonesia’s commitment to humanity and solidarity,” he added.
The event concluded with an engaging question-and-answer session, during which students, scholars, and participants actively exchanged views with the speakers on the future of D-8 cooperation and the role of youth and academia in strengthening economic partnerships among D-8 member states.
This discussion marked the second round of a series of discussions on D-8 under Indonesia’s chairmanship. The first session was held the previous week at the Indonesian Corner and featured Mrs. Noor Fatima, Chairperson of the Department of International Relations at IIUI. The final session of the series is scheduled to take place after the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
