The D-8 took part in the STRATCOM Summit 2026 in Istanbul, where it engaged in discussions on global challenges, strategic communication, and media cooperation, while also strengthening its partnerships with key international stakeholders.

The Developing Eight (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation took part in the International Strategic Communication Summit (STRATCOM Summit) 2026, held in Istanbul on March 27-28, with Secretary-General Ambassador Sohail Mahmood representing the organization, The Caspian Post reports, citing Turkish media.

Organized by Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications under the theme “Disruption in the International System: Crises, Narratives, and Search for Order,” the summit convened senior representatives from governments, international organizations, media institutions, and think tanks amid a period of heightened geopolitical tension and systemic transformation.

Opening remarks were delivered by Head of Communications Prof. Dr. Burhanettin Duran and Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, alongside a video message from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, all emphasizing the growing importance of strategic communication in addressing global challenges.

The event featured prominent figures including Foreign Minister H.E. Dr. Hakan Fidan, National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Director Prof. Dr. İbrahim Kalın, and Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Fuat Oktay, along with ministers, academics, and media professionals from across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Throughout the two-day program, discussions focused on the evolving global order, the role of leadership and diplomacy in conflict resolution, and declining trust in international institutions. Participants also examined the impact of misinformation, competing narratives, and emerging technologies-particularly artificial intelligence-on global communication dynamics.

Ambassador Mahmood took part in multiple sessions addressing global governance challenges, regional conflicts, and the increasing importance of strategic narratives. The summit also highlighted the role of media during crises, the contributions of women leaders, and the transformation of soft power in a fragmented international landscape.

On the sidelines, Mahmood held bilateral meetings with key stakeholders. In talks with Bangladesh’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Zahir Uddin Swapon, discussions centered on enhancing media cooperation among D-8 member states to strengthen the organization’s global visibility.

He also met with Mr. Ahmed Ismayilov, head of Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency, to review progress on establishing the proposed D-8 Media Excellence Center in Azerbaijan and to explore closer collaboration among media institutions and communication platforms within the bloc.

In a separate interaction with Prof. Dr. Burhanettin Duran, Mahmood underscored the summit’s contribution to advancing discourse on pressing global issues and stressed the importance of deepening cooperation between the D-8 and Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications in strategic communication and public diplomacy.

Engaging with a wide range of officials, media executives, and think tank representatives, the D-8 Secretary-General used the platform to strengthen partnerships and promote the organization’s objectives.

The participation of the D-8 in STRATCOM Summit 2026 reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing cooperation among member states, particularly in media and communication, and highlighted its role in advancing collective responses to shared global challenges.