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Kuala Lumpur (Agenzia Fides) - The dialectic between the “G8” (the summit of the 8 most industrialized nations which just concluded in Japan) and the “G5” (a group of five countries: China, India, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa) is not the only event capturing the attention of political and economic analysts on an international level. Another group of emerging countries has begun making itself heard and has taken action in trying to find solutions to the great international challenges such as the climate changes and the food crisis. Their name is “D8” (Development 8), and it is a group that encompasses several developing nations, the majority of which are Islamic. It was created 12 years ago and is made up of: Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Nigeria, Indonesia, Iran, and Turkey.
While the G8 was holding its summit, the D8 met in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). The event was attended by foreign ministers who debated a “Roadmap” for achieving a greater internal economic cooperation from among the D8 nations.
This group of nations represents nearly one billion of the world’s population: the D8, although it continues to define itself as an organization that is still in the process of consolidation, is trying to establish economic partnerships so as to give their member-nations a greater say in the global economy. The objective of the Kuala Lumpur meeting was to begin a 10-year plan of economic cooperation, so as to coordinate the various bilateral projects underway, for a mutual reduction of customs barriers.
In reference to the matters addressed at the G8 in Japan, the D8 group tried to make their own contribution by deciding to increase the production of food products so as to meet the needs of poorer nations. As Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani pointed out, “With such high food and fuel prices the only option is agriculture. We have agreed to diversify our economies and give agriculture a boost.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi made a firm appeal to their G8 colleagues: “The cost of food products is beyond what the poorest countries can afford and they are the majority of the world’s population; the G8 leaders cannot ignore that fact.”
The President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, also confirmed that the food and energy issues are crucial matters when it comes to balance, peace, and justice in the international community: “There can be no security if there is not enough food for everyone,” he said, indicating the problem of so-called “biofuels” that are taken from vegetable matter that occupies arable lands once used for food production. And production of this kind is needed on an international level, he explained. If not the consequences could be “disastrous” for billions of people, with dramatic results for all humanity. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 11/7/2008)
