ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Indonesia is set to lead the Developing-8 (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation from January 1, 2026 through 2027, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s expanding leadership role across the Global South.
The formal handover of the D-8 chairmanship will take place at the 12th D-8 Summit in Jakarta in April 2026.
The announcement was delivered by Director General for Multilateral Cooperation at Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Tri Tharyat, during the third edition of Ngobrol Asik, a public diplomacy forum held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, December 19, 2025.
Ambassador Tri stressed that Indonesia’s leadership of D-8 comes at a strategic juncture, offering a platform to strengthen economic diplomacy, deepen solidarity among developing nations, and enhance the collective economic leverage of the Global South amid intensifying geopolitical competition and growing strain on multilateral institutions.
“D-8 is a strategic economic forum for the Global South. In an era of geopolitical fragmentation and mounting challenges to multilateralism, Indonesia’s leadership will be instrumental in advancing equality, solidarity, and concrete economic cooperation,” Ambassador Tri said.
D-8: A 1.3-Billion-People Economic Bloc
The D-8 comprises Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Türkiye. Together, the bloc represents approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide, with a combined GDP of around USD 5.1 trillion and intra-D-8 trade reaching approximately USD 157 billion.
Spanning South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, the D-8 is increasingly viewed as a rising economic force and a collective counterweight in the evolving global economic order.
International projections indicate that D-8 member states are on track to emerge as major global economic players by 2050, underscoring the bloc’s long-term strategic significance.
Indonesia’s Leadership Agenda
During its chairmanship, Indonesia will advance the theme:
“Navigating Global Shifts: Strengthening Equality, Solidarity and Cooperation for Shared Prosperity.”
Rooted in the principles of the Bandung Spirit, the theme reflects Indonesia’s commitment to South–South cooperation, inclusive development, and shared growth.
Indonesia’s D-8 leadership will focus on: Strengthening economic and trade integration, Advancing the halal economy, Promoting the blue economy and green transition, Enhancing connectivity and digital transformation, Strengthening D-8 institutional governance.
Indonesia also unveiled its official D-8 chairmanship logo, inspired by a compass and guiding light (jyoti), symbolizing direction, unity, and optimism for a more inclusive and prosperous Global South.
D-8 Jakarta Summit 2026 and Palestine
As the culmination of its leadership, Indonesia will host the 12th D-8 Summit in Jakarta in April 2026, preceded by meetings of senior officials and foreign ministers.
Reflecting Indonesia’s longstanding humanitarian commitment, a special session on Palestine will be convened on the sidelines of the summit. In addition, a Business and Investment Forum and a Halal Expo will be held to strengthen business networks and deepen the halal economic ecosystem among D-8 member states.
The D-8 Jakarta Summit 2026 is expected to deliver the Jakarta Declaration, reaffirming collective commitments to deepen economic cooperation, reinforce Global South solidarity, and promote inclusive, sustainable, and equitable development across D-8 countries. (AT Network)
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