The President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, arrived in Cairo on Thursday, December 19, 2024, to participate in the 11th Developing Eight (D-8) Summit, held at the Presidential Palace in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital. President Prabowo’s arrival marked the beginning of his engagement at the summit, which focuses on enhancing cooperation among eight leading emerging economies from across the global South.
Upon his arrival at the summit venue around 11:00 AM local time, President Prabowo first visited the library to sign the state guestbook, a customary gesture of respect and diplomacy. He was then escorted to the Presidential Hall, where he was warmly welcomed by the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The two heads of state exchanged a handshake, symbolizing the strong diplomatic ties between Indonesia and Egypt.
The opening of the summit featured a formal photo session with the leaders of the D-8 countries. President Prabowo was seen standing between the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, alongside other dignitaries from the D-8 member states.
The 11th D-8 Summit is focusing on the theme “Investing in Youth and Supporting SMEs: Shaping Tomorrow’s Economy.” As a key speaker at the plenary session, President Prabowo is expected to share Indonesia’s perspective on fostering youth entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable economic development in emerging markets. His remarks will highlight the vital role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in shaping the future of these economies, particularly in the post-pandemic era.
In the afternoon, President Prabowo will also address a special session on the current situation in Palestine and Lebanon, underscoring Indonesia’s long-standing commitment to peace, justice, and stability in the Middle East. The session will provide an opportunity for leaders to discuss ways to support regional peace efforts and uphold the rights of the Palestinian people.
In addition to the plenary and special sessions, President Prabowo is scheduled to engage in several bilateral meetings with other leaders attending the summit. These discussions aim to strengthen Indonesia’s diplomatic and economic relations with fellow D-8 countries, reinforcing ties that benefit mutual growth, trade, and development.
Accompanying President Prabowo at the summit are Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Arif Havas, and the Indonesian Ambassador to Cairo, Lutfi Rauf.
The D-8, established in 1997, is a group of eight developing countries: Indonesia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey. The summit provides a platform for cooperation in various sectors, including economic growth, trade, energy, and cultural exchange, focusing on the shared interests and challenges faced by the member countries.
President Prabowo’s attendance at this important gathering reaffirms Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation and advancing the shared goals of the D-8 member states.