D-8 SECRETARY-GENERAL ADVANCES INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION DURING VISIT TO MOSCOW
ISTANBUL, SEP 28 /DNA/ – The Secretary-General of the Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8), Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, held a series of engagements with the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) and representatives of the Russian Federation’s diplomatic, academic and policy circles, aimed at advancing the Organization’s international outreach and exploring new avenues for regional trade and economic cooperation.
A key engagement was the meeting with H.E. Mr. Bakytzhan Sagintayev, Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission, at the Commission Headquarters in Moscow. The exchanges focused on the respective attributes and priorities of the D-8 and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), complementarities in their economic agendas, and opportunities for enhanced intra- and inter-regional trade and economic cooperation.
The Secretary-General highlighted the D-8’s efforts to deepen economic cooperation among its Member States and expand partnerships with regional and international organizations. The two sides agreed to strengthen mutual dialogue and develop a cooperative relationship between the D-8 and the Eurasian Economic Commission, focusing on practical areas of common interest and complementarity to advance trade and broader economic cooperation.
The Secretary-General also held bilateral interactions with senior representatives of the Russian Federation, including H.E. Mr. Andrey Rudenko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Ambassador Zamir Kabulov, Special Presidential Envoy; and Dr. Kirill Babaev, Director of ICCA RAS, alongside engagements with academic, think-tank, media and policy circles.
These exchanges provided an opportunity to highlight the D-8’s evolution since its establishment in 1997, its core priorities and expanding sectoral cooperation, as well as its growing partnerships with regional and international organizations. Discussions also explored ways to deepen mutual exchanges and advance shared objectives in regional trade, economic cooperation, connectivity and institutional engagement.
The Secretary-General’s visit was undertaken at the invitation of Dr. Kirill Babaev, Director, Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICCA RAS), to participate in the 60th anniversary celebrations of ICCA RAS. During the special high-level event organized to mark this landmark, the Institute also conferred ICCA RAS Honourary Doctorate to Ambassador Sohail Mahmood in recognition of his contributions to the promotion of international cooperation and Pakistan-Russia relations. In his remarks on the occasion, the Secretary-General expressed appreciation for the honour and dedicated it to all those working for peace, mutual understanding, solidarity and international cooperation.
The Secretary-General’s engagements formed part of the D-8’s broader efforts to expand its international partnerships, strengthen institutional linkages, and develop practical cooperation with regional organizations and other stakeholders in support of economic development and shared prosperity.
The Secretary-General thanked H.E. Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Ambassador of Pakistan to the Russian Federation, and his team for their valuable coordination, facilitation and support throughout the visit.
