BAKU, Dec 19 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijan has officially joined the Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) as its first new member since the bloc's founding, the country's Foreign Ministry announced in a statement on Thursday.
The decision was made unanimously at the 11th D-8 Summit in Cairo. Prime Minister Ali Asadov led Azerbaijan's delegation at the summit, marking the culmination of the country's engagement with the organization, which began in 2017 when President Ilham Aliyev attended the Istanbul Summit as a special guest.
The Foreign Ministry stated that the country remains committed to supporting the fundamental principles of D-8 while promoting stability, security, and cooperation in the region.
"D-8 membership of Azerbaijan will also be a great contribution to strengthening Islamic Solidarity, promoting Islamic values in the world and combating Islamophobia," the statement said.
Azerbaijan applied to join the organization in July 2022.
D-8, established in 1997, includes Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Türkiye. The bloc, representing 60 percent of the global Muslim population, aims to improve member states' positions in the global economy, diversify trade relations, and improve living standards. ■