ISLAMABAD, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Thursday said D-8 countries need to stand together to overcome the complex challenges and injustices of the current world system, local media reported.
Speaking at the D-8 Summit kicked off here on Thursday, he said the gulf between developed and developing countries is rising. He said during the colonial era our resources were captured by the colonial masters who are doing the same under different garbs even today.
He said discrimination in the international arena by using UN Security Council and economic sanctions is a manifestation of hegemonic designs of big powers. He said these tactics are employed to hamper the growth of independent nations.
He said it is clear in Pakistan's case where innocents are being killed in terrorism related incidents. He said this can also be seen in the situation of Gaza where the people are resisting the expansionist policies of Israel.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called upon a new world order that is based on the principles of equality, justice and a level playing field.
Addressing the summit, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyovo said that to achieve our targets "we have to maintain peace and political stability in the region."
He said with the gigantic efforts of the D-8 member countries the poverty line is reducing in these areas. He said, "We have to maintain a sustainable economic growth of around six percent in our countries which would ensure creation of more jobs and prosperity."
He said D-8 member countries should explore more avenues in the fields of tourism, communication and sea transport.
He said food and energy cooperation is also crucial which could be ensured by active participation of government-private-society partnership
The Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan in his remarks at the D-8 Summit explained achievements during the last two years under his chairmanship.
He said the volume of trade was enhanced to the highest possible level during this period. He said enforcement of trade agreements among the member states was the major success of the D- 8. Likewise ratification by almost all the member states of Preferential Trade Agreement and Visa Facilitation was an important success.
The Nigerian President said Pakistan has played an active role in the D-8 which is appreciable. He said adoption of various documents in Islamabad is a tribute to the vision of leaders of the D-8 countries.
Later, he handed over the chairmanship of the D-8 to President Asif Ali Zardari for the next two years.
Secretary General of D-8 Widi Pratikto in his report paid appreciation to Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan for his wise participation in the activities of the D-8.
"We have steady development since Abuja D-8 conference. Our agenda included continuing efforts to improve the lives of our people and to eliminate poverty from the area."
He hoped that the summit would find a role model to move forward to meet the challenges of our people. He said the member states have to adopt realistic and practical steps to narrow the gap of poverty.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Nigernian President Goodluck Jonathan, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Haji Muhyiddin Mohammad Yassin, Egyptian Vice President Mahmoud Mekki and Advisor of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Dr. Syed Ali Gowher Rizvi are attending the Summit.
The theme of the conference is "Democratic partnership for peace and prosperity".
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