Cairo — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto urged member states of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation to set aside their differences and unite to collectively support Palestine.

“Once again, we must learn from the geopolitical situations unfolding around us. Without unity, without overcoming our differences, we cannot be strong. We say we support Palestine, but if we are weak, how can we truly support Palestine?” Prabowo said during the D-8 Summit held at The New Capital President Palace in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday (December 19).

Highlighting the D-8’s global significance, Prabowo noted that it is the world’s third-largest economic bloc, with a combined GDP of $4.81 trillion as of last year. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), member nations of the D-8 are projected to rank among the 25 largest global economies by 2050.

Prabowo also emphasized the immense potential of the blue economy, given the D-8 nations’ proximity to major bodies of water, including the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. With the global fishing industry valued at $600 billion, he argued that the bloc has the potential to become the strongest in the world.

“We must unite. We must work together to achieve unity, to rise above our differences, and to prioritize the welfare of our people. Without unity and integration, we will remain weak. And if we are weak, we will be exploited—that is the law of history,” Prabowo stressed.

The President’s remarks underlined the importance of collective strength in addressing global challenges and advocating for the rights of the Palestinian people.

— (RR)