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Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Organizing Committee has taken the difficult decision to postpone the D-8 Digital Economy Forum until further notice. The Organizing Committee would like to thank you for your interest in the D-8 DEF and to apologize for any disruption this postponement may cause.  The Organizing Committee is working diligently to assess the possibility of rescheduling the event and will provide updated information as soon as it becomes available.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the objectives of the event, please do not hesitate to contact the Organizing Committee by email at: info@d8def[dot]org, or by mobile/Whatsapp/Telegram at:

+98 930 028 6032.

Thank you for your understanding.

At a consensus meeting of ambassadors and representatives from the member countries of the D8 group, held at FANAP Holding, the details of organizing the "First D8 Digital Economy Forum" were outlined. This forum, set to take place on Kish Island, is a collaborative effort between the D8 organization and FANAP Holding.

Dr. Shahab Javanmardi, CEO of FANAP Holding, addressed the gathering, emphasizing that one of the primary objectives of the D8 is to enhance economic cooperation and trade connectivity among member states. A key focus area is collaboration in "digital technologies, digital infrastructure, and digital transformation."

Like other intergovernmental organizations, the D8 partners with experts from the private sector within its member nations to achieve these goals. Recent collaborations include companies from Turkey and Pakistan. Currently, FANAP, a leading Iranian tech holding, is working with the D8 to host the "First D8 Digital Economy Forum."

Javanmardi noted that the D8 market encompasses over 1.2 billion people, accounting for approximately 15% of the global population. The combined GDP of these nations is around 4.9 trillion USD, making up about 5% of global GDP. Notably, 93% of the D8 population has access to mobile broadband coverage on average.

He further explained that all D8 members have developed national policies to drive digital transformation and support their industries' shift towards digital economies. This political commitment underscores the role of technological innovation in national economic growth, as demonstrated by the increasing contribution of the digital economy to the GDP of these countries.

Javanmardi also highlighted key areas impacted by digital transformation in D8 countries, such as:

• E-government: Enhancing digital public infrastructure and integrating services for citizens.
• E-commerce: Expanding online sales of goods and services in form of cross-border E-Commerce platform.
• Fintech: Developing cross-border payment systems and decentralized financial services.
• E-tourism: Offering comprehensive online platforms for travel and booking services in D-8 countries.

The forum aims to unite technology companies from D8 countries to explore ways to strengthen digital connectivity through collaborative projects, thereby increasing their presence in each other’s markets. Research shows that this trend is already emerging, particularly in cross-border payment systems for e-commerce and e-tourism, facilitating interconnected digital economic activities.

Regarding FANAP’s role in hosting the event and its significance for Iran, Javanmardi explained that FANAP is a leader in Iran’s ICT sector, spearheading the country's Fourth Industrial Revolution. Its subsidiary companies provide cutting-edge solutions in industrial ERP software, cloud computing, core banking, and other transformative technologies, working on both domestic and international projects. FANAP is well-positioned to collaborate with counterparts from other Muslim countries in the D8 market.

Concluding his remarks, Javanmardi invited companies, activists, and media from the D8 nations to participate in the forum, highlighting the opportunities it presents for connecting digital economies and exploring cooperation. He reaffirmed FANAP’s readiness for continued collaboration with the D8 and other organizations aiming to unlock the potential of the digital economy.

The D8 Digital Economy Forum's mission is clear: "To unite and explore the 'integration of the digital economy' across the D8 member states."