BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The
Secretary-General of the Developing-8 Organization for Economic
Cooperation (D-8), Η.Ε. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, undertook a
high-level official visit to Ankara from 23 to 25 February 2026-
his first since assuming office on 1 January 2026, Trend reports.
The visit reaffirmed Türkiye's pivotal role as a founding
member, host of the D-8 Secretariat, and a key contributor to the
Organization's evolution since its inception.
The Secretary-General was accompanied by a delegation comprising
Ambassador Mustafa Özcan, Director-I of the D-8 Secretariat, and
Muhammad Bilal Khan, Executive Assistant.
The visit commenced with a working Iftar hosted by Ambassador
Aylin Sekizkök, the D-8 Commissioner of Türkiye, for the D-8
delegation. The engagement provided an opportunity to review
institutional priorities -- including ongoing reform initiatives,
strengthening coordination between the Secretariat and the host
country, and preparations for the 12th D-8 Summit in Jakarta.
Discussions underscored the importance of Türkiye's pivotal role in
supporting the Secretariat's transformation agenda and enhancing
the D-8's overall organizational capacity.
On 24 February, the Secretary-General had meetings with senior
leadership the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Deputy
Ministers Musa Kulaklıkaya and Berris Ekinci. The comprehensive
exchanges with Ambassador Ekinci focused on the D-8's present and
future trajectory, strengthening the Secretariat's human and
financial resource base, streamlining institutional structures and
processes, expanding international outreach, and working for
concrete outcomes of the Jakarta Summit.
In his call on Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Secretary-General Sohail Mahmood conveyed profound appreciation for
Türkiye's generous support as host country since the establishment
of the D-8 Secretariat and as a vital pillar of the Organization's
strategic direction. Noting Türkiye's major initiatives like the
Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) and Presidency of COP31, the
Secretary-General highlighted the global salience of D-8 Member
States in geo-strategic and geo-economic terms and the
Organization's overall potential to play a seminal role at the
regional and global levels. He also briefed the Foreign Minister on
his priorities as Secretary General, the ongoing efforts to advance
institutional reform process, strengthening D-8's global outreach,
and ensuring impactful outcomes of the Jakarta Summit. During the
meeting, Türkiye's strong and steadfast support for the D-8 was
reaffirmed by the Honourable Minister and guidance provided on ways
for the D-8 to enhance its activities, visibility, and
effectiveness.
In his meeting with Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, the
Secretary-General emphasized the imperative of expanding intra-D-8
trade and welcomed Türkiye's role in hosting the permanent D-8
Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Secretariat in Istanbul, a
milestone for deeper private-sector engagement and integration.
Both sides underscored the importance of the D-8 Business and
Investment Forum and Halal Expo, being convened as side events of
the Jakarta Summit, as further catalysts for trade and investment
connectivity.
The meeting with Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment,
Urbanization and Climate Change, focused on climate cooperation and
Türkiye's COP31 Presidency, exploring joint initiatives in climate
resilience, green transformation, and sustainable urbanization
across D-8 economies.
At the Presidential Complex, Ambassador Mahmood was received by
Cevdet Yılmaz, Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye, where he
briefed the Vice President on preparations for the 12th D-8 Summit
and its expanded programme. The Secretary-General also attended an
Iftar hosted by Н.Е. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
On 25 February, the Secretary-General continued outreach with
key institutional stakeholders. At the TRT Headquarters,
discussions with Director General Prof. Dr. Mehmet Zahid Sobacı
explored media cooperation and strategic communication
partnerships. The importance of the legacy and digital media in
raising global awareness about the D-8, amplifying the D-8 message
and narrative, and fostering cultural and people-to-people
connectivity was underscored with a view to making collective
endeavors to advance these shared objectives.
In his meeting with Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Minister of Industry and
Technology, the Secretary-General commended Türkiye's rise as a
global innovation hub and explored collaboration in advanced
manufacturing, Industry 4.0, and AI-driven industrial
transformation.
The Secretary-General also engaged with the leadership of the
Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB),
focusing on operationalizing the D-8 CCI Secretariat and
strengthening business connectivity ahead of the Jakarta
Summit.
The Secretary General also attended the Iftar hosted by Foreign
Minister Hakan Fidan for the Ambassadors/Head of Mission of the
Member and Observer Countries of the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation (OIC) in Ankara.
Concluding the visit, Secretary General Sohail Mahmood expressed
his sincere appreciation for the gracious hospitality extended by
the Government of Türkiye and the comprehensive programme charted
for the visit. He stated that the exchanges during the visit
reinforced alignment on a range of issues pertaining to
institutional capacity and helped strengthen the momentum toward a
more dynamic, results-oriented, and globally engaged D-8.
