Indonesia Postpones D-8 Summit Amid Middle East Conflict
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has postponed the D-8 Summit indefinitely. The D-8 is a cooperative forum among eight developing nations including Malaysia, Iran, Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Azerbaijan.
Tri Tharyat, the Director General of Multilateral Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, explained that the decision to postpone the meeting was necessary given that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have not subsided.
“Late last evening, the Foreign Minister signed letters to our partners notifying them of the postponement of the D-8 Summit and all related activities,” Tri stated during a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, 13 March 2026.
According to Tri, all member states have received notification of the postponement and understand Indonesia’s decision. He indicated that the scheduling of the summit will be discussed further once the geopolitical situation begins to stabilise. “A new date will be discussed at an appropriate time. For now, the situation in the Middle East is still evolving,” he said.
Indonesia had been scheduled to host and chair the D-8 Summit originally set for 15 April 2026. Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that the D-8 Summit would discuss concrete cooperation among the eight nations, particularly in strengthening the economy, and practical steps with direct impact for member states.
The D-8 forum had planned to discuss the Two-State Solution as an effort to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Deputy Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir said the Indonesian government would discuss the latest developments in the conflict and measures that could be taken, including those agreed upon by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
“Of course, the aim is a Two-State Solution,” Arrmanatha said at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta on Monday, 9 February 2026.
The D-8 was established in 1997 by eight developing nations—Indonesia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey—most of which are also members of the OIC. The organisation aims to strengthen economic cooperation, trade, and development to promote inclusive and sustainable growth.