Ankara (TDI): The Secretary-General of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, visited Ankara from 23-25 February, marking his first visit since assuming office on 1 January 2026.
The visit underscored Türkiye’s pivotal role as a founding member and host of the D-8 Secretariat, while building momentum toward institutional reform and preparations for the 12th D-8 Summit in Jakarta.
During his engagements, Ambassador Mahmood held extensive discussions with senior Turkish leadership, reaffirming the country’s steadfast support for the Organization’s transformation agenda.
Meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye with Deputy Ministers Musa Kulaklıkaya and Berris Ekinci focused on strengthening the Secretariat’s human and financial resource base, streamlining institutional processes, expanding international outreach, and ensuring concrete outcomes at the upcoming Summit.
In a call on Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the Secretary-General expressed appreciation for Türkiye’s longstanding and generous support as host country of the Secretariat.
He highlighted the geo-strategic and geo-economic importance of D-8 member states and pointed to Türkiye’s global initiatives, including the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and its Presidency of COP31, as examples of the country’s growing international profile.
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Trade and economic cooperation featured prominently in talks with Trade Minister Ömer Bolat. Ambassador Mahmood welcomed Türkiye’s hosting of the permanent D-8 Chambers of Commerce and Industry Secretariat in Istanbul, describing it as a milestone for deeper private-sector integration.
The D-8 Business and Investment Forum and Halal Expo, to be held alongside the Jakarta Summit, were highlighted as key platforms to boost intra-D-8 trade and investment flows.
In discussions with Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum, both sides explored joint initiatives in climate resilience, green transformation, and sustainable urbanization across D-8 economies.
At the Presidential Complex, Ambassador Mahmood was received by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and later attended an Iftar hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The Secretary-General also engaged with media and industry leaders, including at TRT and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), to strengthen communication partnerships and business connectivity.
