Turkey to make D-8 a success story, Mousavi says

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - NOVEMBER 24: The outgoing head of the D-8 economic bloc pointed to Turkey’s importance, urging it to show “its leadership” in a variety of sectors. In an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency, Seyed Ali-Mohammad Mousavi said Turkey “is not a simple member” of the D-8. The organization was launched on June 15, 1997, after Turkey's then-prime minister, Necmettin Erbakan, proposed the creation of an economic group consisting of eight emerging economies from the Muslim world, including Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey. Turkey currently holds the chairmanship of the D-8, for the next two years, for the second time in 20 years. On that note, Mousavi said: “During this time, we expect a lot from Turkey, for it to take the reins to spearhead, initiate more activities and to show its leadership in sectoral activities.” Mousavi expressed gratitude to the people and the government of Turkey for hosting the D-8 and its activities, saying: “Turkey within this coming two years will make our organization into a success story on regional cooperation.” In 2015, Iran’s Islamic Azad University and the D-8 signed a letter of intent on efforts to establish the International University of D-8 on the occasion of the organization’s 4th Ministerial Meeting on Industry. Mousavi said the university “anticipated” an official announcement “this coming summer.” He said, “As far as I know, they currently are working on the curriculum and working on the rule of procedure on how students from all D-8 countries can apply to this university. As I know, this is the university of post-grad – master and Ph.D. students.”The D-8 organization adopted a 10-year roadmap at its 2008 summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Under the roadmap, the organization is focused on five priority areas to cooperate including trade, energy, transportation, agriculture, and industry. (Footage by Engin Morgul/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)