PM Shehbaz to Attend D-8 Summit in Egypt
— December 16, 2024
ISLAMABAD (AIA) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will embark on an official visit to Egypt from 18 to 20 December to participate in the Eleventh Summit of the Developing Eight (D-8) countries in Cairo.
Ahead of the summit, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar will represent Pakistan at the 21st Session of the D-8 Council of Ministers on 18 December, according to a Foreign Office statement.
This year’s summit theme, “Investing in Youth and Supporting SMEs: Shaping Tomorrow’s Economy,” underscores the importance of empowering young people and fostering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to drive economic growth.
During the summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will emphasise the role of youth and SMEs in building a resilient, inclusive economy, creating jobs, advancing innovation, and promoting local entrepreneurship. He will reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to D-8’s ideals, advocate for partnerships to boost mutual prosperity, and discuss opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, food security, and tourism. The premier will also outline Pakistan’s initiatives for youth empowerment and economic development.
Additionally, the prime minister will attend a special session focused on the humanitarian crisis and reconstruction efforts in Gaza and Lebanon, addressing the aftermath of Israeli aggression in the Middle East. He is expected to reiterate Pakistan’s unwavering support for Palestine and advocate for peace in the region.
On the sidelines, Shehbaz Sharif is likely to hold bilateral meetings with leaders of other participating nations to strengthen ties and discuss regional and global issues.