Spokesman Report
Antalya:Secretary General of the Developing Eight (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation Ambassador Sohail Mahmood has stressed the need for a balanced and constructive global approach to investment, highlighting the role of diplomacy in navigating emerging geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges.
Speaking at a panel discussion titled “Investment Across Continents” during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026 held in Türkiye from April 17 to 19, he said that a rapidly evolving global landscape—marked by multi polarity, intensifying major-power competition, and shifting patterns of globalization—was reshaping investment flows and corporate strategies.
He noted that new approaches such as “near-shoring” and “friend-shoring” were gaining traction as countries and corporations sought to reduce risks, diversify supply chains, and enhance resilience.
Ambassador Mahmood emphasized that beyond cost considerations, geopolitical dynamics and the changing geoeconomic paradigm were increasingly influencing business decisions, leading to a reconfiguration of value chains and production centers worldwide.
Highlighting the D-8 perspective, he called for prudent policy measures alongside strengthened international cooperation to address challenges in the global investment environment. He underlined that creating a peaceful and stable external environment was essential for promoting cross-continental investment.
He stressed the importance of diplomacy in preventing conflicts, promoting dialogue, upholding international law, and reinforcing multilateralism to foster a conducive climate for sustainable investment.
The D-8 Secretary General further noted that developing countries could attract investments through a combination of domestic preparedness and international collaboration, including ensuring policy predictability, efficient facilitation, reliable infrastructure, and enhanced connectivity.
He also cited Egypt’s strong investment performance as a positive example among D-8 member states and highlighted the organization’s collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in formulating guiding principles for investment policymaking.
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Mahmood said that while “mapping tomorrow” requires strategic vision, effective leadership remains crucial for “managing uncertainties” in an increasingly complex global environment.
