ISTANBUL

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Saturday approved Azerbaijan’s membership in the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, formalizing the country’s entry into the bloc.

A statement from the Azerbaijani Presidency confirmed that Aliyev signed a decree endorsing the membership, following unanimous support from D-8 leaders during the Cairo Summit on Dec. 19, 2024.

The D-8 was founded to enhance economic cooperation among developing nations and includes Türkiye, Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Bangladesh.

Azerbaijan’s accession aims to strengthen trade partnerships and bolster its role in global economic affairs, aligning with the D-8’s mission to increase trade, improve representation in international decision-making, and enhance living standards across member states.