Sohail Mahmoud, Secretary-General of the Group of Eight Developing Countries for Economic Cooperation, affirmed that the organization's member states play a significant role in supporting global peace and stability, based on their geostrategic and geo-economic importance and their ability to influence regional developments. This came in statements Mahmoud gave to Anadolu Agency on Friday, on the sidelines of the Ninth Istanbul Mediation Conference.
In the same context, Mahmoud clarified that the world is currently witnessing more than 65 conflicts involving more than 100 countries to some extent, with about a quarter of the world's population living in conflict zones. He pointed out that the increasing use of force to resolve disputes, ignoring international law, and weakening multilateralism make enhancing mediation and diplomacy more important.
For his part, Mahmoud praised Turkey's role in this field, highlighting its efforts regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war, the Black Sea Grain Agreement, and mediation in Africa. He said that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's emphasis on "sincere dialogue, sustainable mediation, and regional ownership" represents important principles for contributing to conflict resolution.
He explained that the Group of Eight, which currently includes 9 countries after the accession of Azerbaijan, has member states with tangible capacities to influence their regions, pointing to the role of some in supporting the achievement of a ceasefire between Iran and the United States. He also stressed the importance of new diplomatic platforms, including the "R4" group comprising Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, and the "E3" group comprising the UK, Germany, and France with Italy's participation, in supporting dialogue.
Mahmoud added that the group focuses on enhancing economic cooperation and trade among its members, strengthening supply and value chains, alongside the green and digital transitions. He affirmed the solidarity of the organization's member states with the Palestinian people and their support for a "just, fair, and permanent" solution to the Palestinian issue.
He pointed out that among the organization's key priorities is implementing the 2020-2030 roadmap, raising trade volume among its countries to $500 billion, with the next summit planned to be held in Indonesia in 2027. The organization was founded in Istanbul on June 15, 1997, and currently includes Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Azerbaijan.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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