Indonesia Outlines Five Key Priorities for Upcoming D-8 Summit in Jakarta

Indonesia to Host 12th D-8 Summit in April

Indonesia, holding the chairmanship of the Developing Eight (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation for the 2026-2027 period, has officially outlined its five key priority agendas ahead of the 12th D-8 Summit. The high-level meeting is slated to take place in Jakarta from April 12 to 15, 2026, with the leaders' summit scheduled for April 15. The overarching theme for Indonesia's chairmanship and the summit is 'Navigating Global Shifts: Strengthening Equality, Solidarity and Cooperation for Shared Prosperity'.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela, announced these priorities, emphasizing efforts to bolster cooperation among member states and advance organizational reform. The D-8, established in 1997, comprises Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey, with Azerbaijan having joined as the ninth member in 2024 or 2025.

Five Pillars of Cooperation and Reform

Four of the five priority agendas are dedicated to fostering economic collaboration, while the fifth addresses crucial institutional restructuring. These initiatives aim to leverage the demographic strength and economic potential of the D-8 member countries.

• Increasing Intra-D-8 Trade: The first priority focuses on optimizing the significant demographic potential of member countries, including their large populations and young generations, to boost trade within the bloc.
• Expanding the Halal Economy: Recognizing the predominantly Muslim populations of D-8 nations, the second agenda aims to develop and expand the halal economy and industry.
• Promoting Blue and Green Economies: Indonesia seeks to highlight opportunities in maritime and food security collaboration, emphasizing cooperation in the blue and green economy sectors, particularly in transportation and food.
• Strengthening Connectivity and Digital Economy: The fourth priority covers enhancing connectivity and the digital economy, including support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and fostering people-to-people exchanges.
• Organizational Reform: The fifth and crucial priority involves reforming or restructuring the D-8 organization itself. This includes adjusting governance, decision-making mechanisms, and budgeting to ensure the bloc remains relevant and effective in delivering tangible results in the current global landscape.

Preparations and Expected Outcomes

The 12th D-8 Summit will be preceded by a Senior Officials' Meeting on April 12-13, 2026, and a Foreign Ministers' Meeting on April 14, 2026. Side events, including a Business Forum and a Halal Expo, are also planned to run concurrently. The summit is expected to culminate in the 'Jakarta Declaration,' reaffirming the bloc's commitment to deeper economic cooperation, stronger Global South solidarity, and inclusive, sustainable development.

Indonesia's Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Arrmanatha Nasir, highlighted that the country's chairmanship aims to reinforce the economic role of Muslim-majority countries, helping them to better withstand an unstable global economic environment. The D-8's core objectives include improving the position of developing countries in the world economy, diversifying commercial relations, creating new opportunities, and enhancing their participation in international decision-making.