Konferensi Tingkat Tinggi (KTT) D-8, di Istana Kepresidenan New Administrative Capital Kairo, Mesir, 19 Desember 2024

Pidato Presiden Prabowo Subianto pada Konferensi Tingkat Tinggi (KTT) D-8, di Istana Kepresidenan New Administrative Capital Kairo, Mesir, Kamis, 19 Desember 2024

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

His Excellency Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt;
Honorable Heads of State and Government of the D-8 organization, Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, Secretary General of the D-8;
Distinguished Guests of honor of the D-8;
His Excellency Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine;
His Excellency Najib Mikati, Prime Minister of the State of the Republic of  Lebanon;
His Excellency Ali Asadov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
His Excellency Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary General of the OIC [Organization of Islamic Cooperation];
His Excellency Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the League of Arab States;
The Distinguished Representative of the United Nations.

Thank you, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, for the warm welcome and generous hospitality given to us the delegates to the D-8 Summit 2024. I also commend the Secretary General of the D-8 for his effective leadership in guiding this Summit.

In a world often shaped by the few, this Summit highlights our collective power as a transformative force. We must realize that the D-8 indeed holds immense potential. Together, the D-8 represents the third largest economic block globally with a combined GDP of US$4.81 trillion in 2023. PricewaterhouseCoopers predicts all D-8 member countries will rank among the 25 largest economies by 2050.

Another vast potential that we often forget is our common maritime resources with access to major oceans of the world, such as the Atlantic, Mediterranean, the Indian, and the Pacific Oceans. All D-8 countries are uniquely positioned to harness the benefits and the resources of the blue economy. This is a very strategic collaboration. For example, the total value of the fishery industry in the world is US$600 billion. We can imagine if we concentrate on making the most of the blue economy, our various economies will really be strong.

But to give more tangible benefits for our peoples, D-8 must deepen economic integration and cooperation. Amongst others, we must implement effectively the Preferential Trade Agreement between us. We also must establish a streamlined and simplified customs procedures within intra-D-8 trade. We must also create halal value chain through a strengthened D-8 halal economic network.

Excellencies,
The D-8 must be more than an economic block. It is a movement of the Global South. Therefore, we must also continue advocating for a fairer global order on the basis of international law, inclusivity, fairness, and shared prosperity. Achieving this requires great, greater representation of the Global South in decision-making processes. For that, D-8 must be united. We must work together to be united. We must leave behind our differences. We must look for the greater good of our peoples. Without unity, without integration, we will be weak, and if we are weak, we will be exploited. That is the law of history. 

In this spirit, Indonesia reaffirms our commitment to strengthening the D-8, and also, we must consider if it’s not wise for us now to invite more members to join the D-8. There must be strength; strength in numbers, strength in unity. Let us look towards the future. Let us learn from the present. Once again, we must learn from the geopolitical situation that’s happening around us now. Without unity, without overcoming our differences, we cannot be strong. We say that we support Palestine, but if we are weak, how can we support Palestine?

Therefore, Excellencies, let us harness our collaboration. We must drive economic growth. We must work to achieve industrial and technological strengths, and we must make the Muslim world a prosperous world, overcoming poverty. Let us unite to make the D-8 a catalyst for positive change to be a champion for the aspirations of the Global South and for the Muslim ummah. As Indonesia prepares to face the future, we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to this shared vision. Let us transform the D-8 into a beacon of hope for all our nations and the world.

I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.