Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has received an invitation to attend the D-8 Summit, set to be held in Cairo, Egypt, this December.

The Egyptian ambassador to Bangladesh, Omar Fahmy, delivered the official invitation from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to the Chief Adviser at his office in Tejgaon, Dhaka, on Wednesday.

Ambassador Fahmy confirmed that heads of government from at least five countries—Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Nigeria—have already confirmed their attendance at the summit, which is scheduled to take place from 16 to 19 December in Cairo.

A key sideline meeting at the summit is expected to address strategies to support Palestinians in response to Israeli aggression.

The ambassador also conveyed his government’s support for Bangladesh’s interim government in its efforts for democratic transition after the student-led mass uprising in July-August.

Professor Yunus welcomed the support and expressed his hope that Egypt and Bangladesh will work hand-in-hand in different international forums, such as the OIC and D-8.

The Chief Adviser said he would seriously consider participating in the D-8 summit in Egypt.

Ambassador Fahmy hoped that business delegates from Bangladesh would also visit Egypt during the D-8 Summit.

He said that Egypt wants to benefit from Bangladesh’s experience in readymade garment and pharmaceutical sectors and also learn jute cultivation.

He said that the two countries should expedite work on pending agreements and MOUs in the fields of agriculture, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.

The ambassador confirmed Egypt’s support for Bangladesh’s candidature to the non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council for 2031-32.

He also sought Dhaka’s support for Cairo’s candidacy for the post of the Director General of the UNESCO.

He also emphasised the renewal of the Foreign Office Consultations between Bangladesh and Egypt.

The first FOC between the two countries was held in 2018, but the second FOC has remained pending since 2021.