BAKU, Azerbaijan 

Azerbaijan announced Thursday that it joined the Developing Eight (D-8) Organization. 

In a statement, the country's Foreign Ministry said Azerbaijan was "unanimously elected" as a member of the group at its 11th summit held in Egypt's capital Cairo.

The statement emphasized that for the first time since its establishment, the D-8 has expanded by admitting a new member.

Calling the D-8 organization the "Islamic eight," the statement highlighted the economic potential of the bloc, which is home to "60% of the world's Muslims."

It said Baku's D-8 membership is "a clear example" of Azerbaijan's growing international influence and trust in the country.

The statement also pointed out that Azerbaijan would "play an important role in protecting the fundamental principles of D-8 and deepening cooperation within the organization."

It stressed the importance of "security, stability, prosperity, and mutually beneficial cooperation" in the region, as well as advancing relations in "economic and trade, transport, communication and a number of other important areas."

With its "bridge role between East and West" and as a cultural, religious, and civilizational hub in the Islamic world, Azerbaijan's membership will make significant contributions to "strengthening Islamic solidarity, promoting Islamic values" worldwide, and "combating Islamophobia," it added.

The D-8 Organization was founded on June 15, 1997, in Istanbul.

In addition to Azerbaijan, its members include Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Türkiye.

The Secretariat of the organization is based in Istanbul.

All member countries are also part of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The total population of D-8 nations is about 1.2 billion, with a total foreign trade volume of $2.3 trillion, accounting for about 5% of global commerce.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi in Istanbul