President Prabowo to attend D-8 Summit, accept chairmanship for 2026

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto will attend the D-8 Summit to represent Indonesia and accept the D-8 chairmanship for the 2026-2027 period from Egypt, which currently holds the title.

Before departing for Egypt from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta on Tuesday, Prabowo described the D-8 as an important forum.

"The D-8 Summit is a significant occasion, especially as Indonesia will take the chairmanship starting January 1, 2026," Prabowo said.

The D-8, an organization for economic cooperation and development among eight developing countries, was established in 1997. Apart from Indonesia and Egypt, the group includes Bangladesh, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey.

All D-8 member countries are also members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Prabowo's visit to Egypt marks the first state visit by an Indonesian president to the country since 2013.

In addition to attending the D-8 Summit, Prabowo will hold a bilateral meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

His trip to Egypt will last from December 17-19.

Earlier, Rolliansyah Soemirat, the Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson, confirmed President Prabowo's attendance at the D-8 Summit.

"This summit is significant as a regular meeting of the D-8 organization and the handover of the chairmanship from Egypt to Indonesia, which will chair the organization for the 2026-2027 period," Soemirat told a press briefing.

He highlighted the growing importance of cooperation under the D-8 framework amid efforts by Global South countries to expand cooperation in fields such as economy, development, and more.

"Indonesia will leverage President Prabowo's presence to ensure the D-8 contributes positively to the goals of Global South countries in fostering deeper cooperation," he remarked.