ISLAMABAD, OCT 18 (DNA) – The Prime Minister is leaving tomorrow for Turkey to lead Pakistan’s delegation for the D-8 Summit being held on 20 October 2017. Foreign Minister, Mr. Khawaja Muhammad Asif is attending the 17^th Council of Ministers meeting that will precede the Summit.

This is the 9^th Summit of eight Developing Countries i.e. Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.

Pakistan is the current Chair of the D-8. It assumed Chair at the 8^th Summit of D-8, held in Islamabad in November 2012. Pakistan continued to hold the Chair beyond the normal period of two years. During Islamabad Summit in November 2012 two landmark documents were signed: (i) the D-8 Charter and (ii) Global Vision.

The Prime Minister will hand over the chairmanship of the D-8 Summit to Turkey. The Istanbul Summit is expected to adopt a Declaration and a Plan of Action.

Major areas of cooperation in D-8 Charter are; (i) Industry (ii) Agriculture and Food Security (iii) Energy (iv) Trade (v) Transportation (vi) Tourism.

The Istanbul Summit will, inter-alia, be an occasion to celebrate the 20^th Anniversary of the Organization.

The Prime Minister is expected to interact with the leaders of D-8 Member States on the sidelines of the Summit.