RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Scholars expressed confidence that Indonesia has the opportunity to strengthen the role of the Developing Eight (D-8), arguing that the grouping of major Muslim-majority developing countries holds strategic leverage in global governance as its members are also active in other multilateral forums.

“Collectively, D-8 has a strategic role and strong bargaining position,” international relations lecturer Andrea Abdul Rahman Azzqy of Budi Luhur University said in Jakarta on Saturday, February 21, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

As an economic organization spanning Asia, Africa and the Middle East, D-8 represents a diverse bloc of Global South countries, giving it what Andrea described as a collective voice in discussions on global economic reform, food security and energy transition.

Despite ongoing geopolitical rivalries among member states, he said they still have room to deepen cooperation in trade, technology and economic development beyond Western dominance.

Andrea added that stronger economic solidarity and diplomatic coordination among D-8 members would enhance their collective standing in the international community. “With stronger economic and diplomatic solidarity, the position of Global South countries will become stronger,” he said.

Arie Afriansyah, an international relations expert at the University of Indonesia, echoed the view, describing D-8 as a strategic platform for cooperation in intra-regional trade, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) development, food security, energy and digital transformation.

He pointed to the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) framework as a key tool to expand trade among member states, alongside collaboration in food, energy and the halal industry to reinforce collective self-reliance.

Although D-8 is not a defense alliance, Arie noted it could also strengthen cooperation in counterterrorism, arguing that economic stability is a foundation for security.

Meanwhile, Teuku Rezasyah of Padjadjaran University said regular D-8 summits and structured meetings among senior officials are essential to ensure the bloc remains relevant as a reference point for global peace and development. According to him, consistent and sustainable coordination would allow member states to respond more quickly to shared development challenges. ***