Istanbul: For 30 years, D8 has functioned as a unique platform uniting member states from various geographies around common ideals such as economic cooperation, solidarity, and sustainable development, said Turkey’s D-8 Commissioner Aylin Sekizk¶k at the ‘High-level D-8 Dialogue on Climate and Cities’ event, APA-Economics reports. She noted that with Azerbaijan’s accession to D8, the organization has once again confirmed its relevance in a period of rapidly changing global environment.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, Sekizk¶k expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for its strong activity in D8 and for successfully organizing the D8 Week event. This event is seen as a demonstration of the extra value and active commitment Azerbaijan brings to the organization, symbolizing the renewed spirit of D8.
Sekizk¶k stated that the main mission of D8 is to promote sustainable, inclusive, and innovative development in member states. However, she acknowledged that although the organization has achieved concrete progress in various fields, it has not taken sufficient steps in urban planning and climate change. In these areas, D8 has not yet reached its full potential.
With Azerbaijan’s accession, D8 now has the opportunity to take concrete and decisive steps in these directions. Azerbaijan’s hosting of this important event, following the successful hosting of COP29 last year, holds special significance. It is believed that the outcomes achieved at COP29 will further enhance D8’s ability to jointly promote inclusive, sustainable, and climate-resilient urban futures.
Sekizk¶k noted that Azerbaijan has already offered to host the D8-affiliated Climate and Energy Center, and Turkey strongly supports this initiative. In the context of global environmental challenges, there is a shared responsibility to protect the future with a clear vision, strong policy, and decisive actions.
In the new decade roadmap to be formed after the current decade roadmap is completed, climate change and urban development will be considered as separate and priority areas. Aligning these efforts with the goals of D8 is expected to not only strengthen common resilience but also ensure that the organization remains a modern and advanced platform in shaping an inclusive and sustainable future.