KUALA LUMPUR DECLARATION OF THE DEVELOPING EIGHT COUNTRIES

1. We, the Heads of State/Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Arab Republic of Egypt, Republic of Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Malaysia, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Republic of Turkey met in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the 8th of July 2008 for the Sixth Summit of the Developing Eight (D-8). We reaffirm our commitment to continue pursuing the goals and objectives set out in the Declarations of Istanbul (1997), Dhaka (1999), Cairo (2001), Tehran (2004) and Bali (2006).

2. We reaffirm determination of the Member Countries to preserve and promote socio-economic cooperation, peace, solidarity, mutual respect and tolerance in all our endeavours keeping in mind imperatives of environmental protection.

3. We acknowledge that during the First Decade of D-8, the world has experienced one of its most exceptional periods in terms of pressing and legitimate development challenges faced by various nations. We consider this summit as a turning point in the history of D-8 cooperation while celebrating the 10 Year Anniversary of our organisation adopting the 10 year Roadmap and other basic documents to enhance cooperation and solidarity among ourselves.

4. Taking into account the adverse effects of the current global economic crisis, we agree to enhance our efforts to coordinate our positions in various international fora and negotiations through collective measures and enhance regional cooperation to ensure continued relevance of the D-8 and promote the interests of developing countries and redouble our efforts to meet global challenges through innovative cooperation.

5. We recognise that trade is a vital area of international activity and that an equitable global trading regime, while benefiting both developed and developing countries, should take fully into account the conditions of developing countries to ensure their economic wellbeing. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of a meaningful and fair conclusion of the negotiations of the Doha Development Agenda as soon as possible.

6. We recognize that international financial and trade system is an important component of international cooperation and should be fair, transparent and non discriminatory, taking into account the differences in the conditions of developing countries, particularly in ensuring equal access into the global economy and international economic organisations. In this context we reaffirm our full support of the speedy accession of the Islamic Republic of Iran into the WTO.

7. We note with great concern the urgent need to address the current global shortage and skyrocketing prices of food items which pose a serious threat to socio-economic stability and agree to deepen our cooperation, including joint ventures and private sector involvement, to produce fertilizer, animal feed and the creation of a seed bank to ease the supply side constraints in agricultural inputs to boost food production in short, medium and long term. We also take note of the proposal of Bangladesh for creating a D-8 Food Fund and instruct the Commission to examine it. 

8. While acknowledging the vital role of energy to achieve sustainable development and growth, we note with concern the adverse effects of the spiralling oil price and call on the international community to urgently address this issue. We reaffirm our commitment to the on-going efforts in the energy sector, and emphasise the importance of collaborative efforts to enhance capacity building, transfer of technology, exploration of new sources of supply, development of alternative fuels, including renewable sources of energy, as well as peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

9. Recognizing the adverse impacts of global warming and climate change on development, we reaffirm our commitment to enhance cooperation in climate change negotiations following the Bali Roadmap to support the adaptation efforts of the developing countries, especially those of the least developed and the low-lying coastal countries and uphold the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities in mitigation of the emission of greenhouse gases.

10. Taking into account that labour migration can be an effective tool for poverty eradication and development and that migration benefits both countries of origin and destination, we reiterate our resolve to enhance cooperation and to exchange experiences concerning protection and promotion of the rights of the migrant workers, both within the context of D-8 and in other regional and global processes, including in the Global Forum on Migration and Development.

11. We acknowledge the efforts of the private sector to strengthen collaboration in the global halal industry, biotechnology and renewable energy and the potentials of Islamic banking and finance. These sectors could further contribute to our future collaboration in trade and investment.

12. We note with satisfaction the significant growth in intra D-8 trade from USD 14.5 billion in 1999 to USD 60.5 billion in 2007, representing an increase of more than 200 per cent over a period of 8 years. We firmly believe that the trade volume will further increase with the entry into force of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).

13. We acknowledge the potential of the global halal industry and the progress that D-8 countries have made in its promotion and development of the halal industry and pledge our full cooperation in the development of the halal sector in Member countries. We appreciate the contribution of Malaysia in developing common standards through Halal Development Corporation (HDC), International Halal Integrity Alliance (IHI Alliance), Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) and the offer of Malaysia Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) Halal training programmes.

14. Recognising that Islamic Banking and Finance has an important role to play in trade and investment in D-8 countries, we acknowledge Malaysia’s initiatives as well as those of others in developing Islamic Finance and call upon member countries to foster greater understanding and cooperation in this field. We take note of the efforts to develop the Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre as a global hub and appreciate her generous allocation of RM 200 million under “Fund for Shariah Scholar in Islamic Finance” to foster talent development and enhance research capacity.

15. We welcome the outcome of the First D-8 Ministerial Meeting on Tourism and endorse the “Tehran Declaration on Tourism Cooperation 2008″ and direct the Commission to take necessary measures for its implementation.

16. While welcoming the signing by Malaysia of the Agreement on Simplification of Visa Procedures for D-8 Businessmen, and its ratification by Bangladesh, Iran, Pakistan and Turkey, we look forward to its early entry into force. 

17. We welcome the adoption of the Annex on the Rules of Origin to the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) by six member countries.

18. We endorse the Roadmap for Economic Cooperation in the Second Decade of Cooperation (2008 - 2018) as the vision to guide our activities in the next ten years and instruct the Commission as well as the Secretariat to translate the elements of the Roadmap into action plans in various fields of activities. We direct the Commission to prioritize areas of cooperation, with particular emphasis on the enhancing intra-D8 trade for promoting development. We also instruct the Commission to examine the initiative of Islamic Republic of Iran on the establishment of a Joint Investment Fund for supporting implementation of D-8 projects.

19. We endorse the Statutory Documents of the D-8 Secretariat and the Rules of Procedure to be effective from 1 January 2009.

20. We confer international legal status to the D-8 Secretariat based in Istanbul and welcome the intention of the Republic of Turkey to conclude a Headquarters Agreement with it.

21. We endorse the report of the 11th Session of the Council of Ministers.

22. While acknowledging the commendable work done by the D-8 Secretariat, we express our appreciation to the Governments of Indonesia, Iran and Turkey for providing and supporting the staff of the Secretariat under the present interim arrangement and to the Government of Turkey for providing the premises for the Secretariat.

23. We express our deep appreciation to the Government of Malaysia for hosting the Sixth D-8 Summit and for extending to us warm and gracious hospitality.

24. While expressing our deep appreciation to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Indonesia and his Government for rendering able leadership and for constructive efforts in promoting the D-8 objectives during its Chairmanship, we wish the Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia every success during his chairmanship.

25. We accept the gracious offer of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to host the Seventh Summit of the Developing-8 in July 2010.