Taking into account the recent surge in COVID-19 cases worldwide, Bangladesh has decided to host the 20th session of the D-8 Council of Ministers on Wednesday in a hybrid format. The level of participation of the meeting has been augmented with the presence of the Foreign Ministers of Iran, Pakistan and Turkey who are expected to join the meeting virtually, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, Deputy Ministers of the other D-8 Member States are expected to join the meeting in-person. Food and energy security, trade, tourism and climate change are some of the areas that will get focus at the 20th session of the Council of Ministers of D-8, also known as Developing-8. While briefing the media on Sunday, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said energy and food security is a global issue that will be discussed at the meeting as there is much scope for cooperation in these areas. “We are giving much importance on food security. Food security issue will be discussed largely. We would like to share our expertise with other friends. There is a much scope for cooperation,” he said. Read: D8 has huge potential to develop as a strong economic block, says PM On energy security, Momen said it is being discussed everywhere and it remains a hot topic globally. “We must ensure energy security. It will be discussed.” He said though some of the D-8 countries showed maturity in the tourism sector, Bangladesh has scope to do more and gain through cooperation. Momen said though the intra-trade is growing the D-8 countries can do more on this front. “We will discuss on how the trade can further be expanded,” he said, adding that the intra-trade is likely to be boosted through proper implementation of the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). The D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), signed on 13th May, 2006 in Bali, Indonesia is regarded as one of the most tangible outcomes of D-8 cooperation in trade. The foreign minister said the D-8 meeting to be held on July 27 will take decision about Azerbaijan’s membership. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate the meeting joining it virtually, Momen said. Bangladesh also hosted the 45th session of the D-8 Commission from July 25 to 26. The D-8, also known as Developing-8, is an organization for development cooperation among Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey. The establishment of D-8 was announced officially through the Istanbul Declaration of Summit of Heads of State/Government on June 15, 1997. The objectives of D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation are to improve member states’ position in the global economy, diversify and create new opportunities in trade relations, enhance participation in decision-making at international level, and improve standards of living.