ISLAMABAD: The leaders of eight Muslim countries Thursday witnessed inking of the D-8 Charter at the conclusion of the day long summit, aimed at forging stronger economic alliance amongst the member states. The Foreign ministers of the participating countries; Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey signed the document that promises a dynamic roadmap to boost their trade to an ambitious $500 billion by 2018.
The signing ceremony at the President House was witnessed by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, Iranian President Mahmood Ahmadinejad, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Egyptian Deputy President Mahmoud Makki, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Bangladeshi Advisor to Prime Minister for International Affairs Professor Gowher Rizvi.
Through this Charter, the D-8 expressed its commitment to forge a common approach on the part of the developing countries in their trading relations with the developed world, including, establishment of equitable trading mechanisms, inclusive of policies and measures ensuring market access such as elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers.
The D-8 also reaffirm its adherence to the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, as a basis for fruitful co-operation, and to strive for the democratisation of international decision-making apparatus and mechanisms towards the achievement of a just international order based on the rule of law and universally accepted principles of international law. It also recognised with appreciation, of the achievements thus far by the Organisation and its existing modalities, and further aspiring to work in an institutional manner towards the full realisation of the vast potential of the member countries, individually as well as collectively, for further socio-economic co-operation and sustainable advancement.
It reiterates their desire for the further expansion of fruitful co-operation in the widest possible range of fields within the D-8 community and elevating their respective level of development to a higher league also with the ultimate objective of playing a larger role in the global economy and the process of globalisation.
It expressed the resolve to ensure environmental sustainability in their pursuit of long-term development and global partnership in the efforts towards the realisation of the internationally agreed development goals. It underlined the essential role of good governance and the rule of law, at both national and international levels, for sustained, inclusive and equitable growth and development.
It recognised the need to strengthen the legal and institutional framework of the Organisation, as an inter-governmental institution, and to further codify requisite principles, rules and values. Through this Charter the D-8 countries also agreed its aims and objectives to future co-operation in various fields.
Regarding the objectives, the D-8 agreed to promote and enhance joint efforts towards achieving sustainable socio-economic development through effective utilisation of economic and social potentials of D-8 countries; Agreed to promote welfare, alleviate poverty, and to improve quality of life of the people of D-8 countries and further strengthen economic, social, technical and scientific ties, promote private sector activity, through encouraging co-operation between chambers of commerce and industry, joint investments between private companies and public-private partnership, towards achieving the long-term goal of balanced national development in the D-8 countries.
The D-8 also decided to strengthen co-operation with other countries, regional and international organisations, as well as non-governmental organisations, with a view to promoting the concerns and interests of the developing countries. It also agreed to work towards playing an effective role in the global economy commensurate with its collective potential and capacity.
Under the principles and scope of co-operation, the D-8 agreed that the co-operation within the framework of the Organisation shall be based on such principles as fraternity, peace, dialogue, justice, equality, rule of law, and democracy. The organisation also agreed that the provisions of this Charter shall not adversely affect the bilateral and multilateral prerogatives and commitments of the member states emanating from their membership in other regional and international organisations and from other international agreements to which they are parties.
The member states shall settle all disputes arising from economic interaction between them and or between their private sectors through peaceful means and in a friendly manner in accordance with established principles. They agreed that the co-operation will comprise, trade, industry, communication and information, finance, banking, joint investments, customs, insurance and privatisation, agriculture, rural development, energy, mines and minerals, transportation and logistics, migrant workers, micro finance and remittances, science and technology, poverty alleviation and human resources development, environment, health, tourism, and humanitarian assistance, and other possible areas as decided by the Council of Ministers or Summits, and political consultation and co-ordination at the regional and international fora.
Regarding membership, the members through this Charter decided that present eight members will be the founding member while more members can be included in this organisation and any developing country, mmber of the United Nations sharing common affinities and friendly relations with the founding members, and undertaking to abide by the objectives and principles of the D-8, as set forth in the present Charter, may apply through the Secretary-General to become a member of the Organisation.
Subject to the recommendation of the Council of Ministers and the approval, by consensus, of the Summit, the Organisation may admit such countries as members. Membership shall be effective upon accession by the applying country to the present Charter through submission of instrument of ratification to the Secretariat. Under this Charter, member states shall have equal rights and obligations. Member States shall accept, respect, and take all necessary measures to effectively implement the provisions of this Charter and to comply with all obligations of membership.
The Organisation, based on the recommendation of the Commission and subject to the consensus decision of the Council of Ministers, may admit and grant the observer status to any member of the United Nations. The Organisation, based on the recommendation of the Commission and subject to the consensus of the Council of Ministers, may admit and grant observer status to other regional or international organisations.
The Organisation, based on the recommendation of the Commission and the consensus of the Council of Ministers, may admit and grant observer status to non-governmental organisations from member states specialising in the priority areas of the work of D-8. On the recommendation of the Commission, observer status may be suspended or terminated by the Council of Ministers. The suspension or termination shall take effect immediately after notification has been given to the state.
The Council of Ministers shall decide upon the nature of interaction of the observers during the sessions of the Organisation and for their interaction with the Organisation and with the D-8 Secretariat in the rules on the observer status. The Charter of the D-8 also highlighted Principles of the Organisation for its future working that includes the Summit shall comprise the Heads of State or government of member states and shall function as the supreme organ of the D-8 Organisation.
The Summit will deliberate and decide upon the policy and guidelines on all matters to achieve the objectives of the Organisation and may deliberate any issue considered important by the member states. The Summit is convened once every two years in the territory of one of the member states by rotation. The Summit decides, through consultations, upon the date and venue of its next meeting.
The Agenda of the Summit will be prepared by the Council of Ministers with the assistance of the Commission and the Secretariat. The Council of Ministers shall comprise the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the member states and it will function in accordance with the guidelines and policy directives of the Summit.
The Council acts as a forum for comprehensive deliberation and consideration of all the issues before the Organisation and is competent to take all decisions as a body under the guidance of the Summit. It shall review reports submitted by the Commission and adopt recommendations and decisions to be submitted to the Summit. It may delegate to the Commission any task it may deem necessary.
It shall be responsible for the preparation of all official documents to be considered by the Summit. It shall meet once a year or more if necessary in the territory of Member State Chairman in office or any member states or other places to be agreed upon. There shall be a Council meeting before each Summit. Regarding the activities of the Commission of the D-8, it will be the executive organ of the Organisation and functions under the guidance of the Council of Ministers.
The Commission shall comprise of senior officials from Ministries of Foreign Affairs, preferably at ambassadorial rank, appointed as Commissioners by their respective governments. Each Commissioner functions as national focal point in his/her respective country. It shall present the report of its activities to the Council and shall also submit to the Council the draft
Provisional Agenda, draft Work Program for the Council and the Summit, and draft decisions and declarations for the Summit. The Commission shall establish Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Groups, as and when necessary, examine their reports and supervise their activities.
It shall meet at least twice a year; once immediately before the Council. The Commission may convene special/extraordinary meetings, as and when necessary, to consider the issues mandated by the Council or the Summit. It shall adopt its own agenda and programme of work on the basis of the decisions and directives of the Council and the Summit.
Regarding Secretariat of the D-8, it has been decided that the Secretariat shall initiate, co-ordinate, and monitor the implementation of all D-8 activities and meetings related to the principal organs and technical meetings. Overall responsibilities, functions and other issues governing the daily activities of the Secretariat are covered by staff regulations.
The Secretariat shall comprise a Secretary-General who shall be the Chief Administrative Officer of the Organisation and such staff as established in the Statutory Document and also determined by the Organisation. The Secretary-General shall be appointed on recommendation by the Council of Ministers by consensus from among the nationals of Member States and approval by the Summit for a non-renewable four-year term in accordance with the principle of rotation in alphabetic order with due consideration for competence, integrity and experience. The Secretary-General will be of the rank of Ambassador in the diplomatic service of the Member State.
The Secretary-General shall perform the responsibilities that include coordinate and harmonise the work of the Organisation, including, effective follow-up of the implementation of recommendations and decisions of D-8 principal organs; Initiate, propose and report to the principal organs matters that may serve or impair the objectives of the Organisation.
The Secretary General shall assist the host country in the preparations for the meetings of the Summit, Council of Ministers, and the Commission to the extent of preparation of the agenda and programme of work in co-ordination with the Member State holding chair of the Organisation.
It shall assist the host country in the preparation of D-8 meetings to the extent of provision of such services as preparation of draft agenda, programme of work, decisions, recommendations and declarations. Reports of all meetings shall be prepared by the host country, in consultation with the representatives of the Secretariat attending the meeting, and officially transmitted to the Secretariat immediately after adoption for circulation among member states.
It will prepare the working papers and memoranda to implement decisions taken by the Summit, Council of Ministers and other sectoral ministerial meetings. It will organise with the assistance of Member States technical and sectoral meetings and activities; prepare the programme of work and the annual budget of the Secretariat; facilitate and co-ordinate communication, consultations and exchange of information among Member States on all matters falling within the purview of the work of the Organisation and of importance to Member States.
The Secretary General will perform any responsibility entrusted to him by the Summit or the Council of Ministers; submit annual report to the Council of Ministers and a biennial report to the Summit on the work of the Organisation; propose the establishment of subsidiary and or ad hoc bodies for advancing the goals of the Organisation. The Secretary-General, and the staff of the Secretariat, shall not seek or accept instructions from any government or authority other than the Organisation. They shall refrain from taking any action that may be detrimental to their position as international civil servants responsible only to the Organisation.
Member States shall respect this exclusively international character, and shall not seek to influence them in any way in the discharge of their duties. The terms of service of the staff members shall be governed by staff regulations. The Secretary-General shall attend all the meetings of the principal organs along with the necessary staff and shall make oral statements and submit written statements/reports, and when required, offer clarification on issues under deliberation.
In the absence of the Secretary-General in any meeting of the principal organs, the designated representative shall represent him and may make oral statements, and when required, offer clarification on issues under deliberation. The Secretary-General shall represent the Organisation in external relations. He may also designate member(s) of the staff to represent the Organisation wherever appropriate. The Secretary-General may dispatch one or more of the staff to attend technical meetings.
Regarding technical meetings, it was decided that member states shall host technical meetings such as sectoral ministerial meetings, working groups, workshops, forums, high level technical officials, round-tables, and task forces comprising senior experts in order to exchange views, discuss, negotiate, and make proposals on D-8 fields of activity and areas of co-operation.
Terms of references of all technical meetings shall be defined by the host country and agreed by Member States before holding such meetings. The host country shall prepare, in consultation with the Secretariat, the report of all technical meetings and submit same to the Commission without delay for consideration, recommendation, and follow up.
Under this Charter, the D-8 also decided that the Member State hosting the Summit shall assume the D-8 Chair and shall exert its utmost efforts to promote the objectives of the Organisation until the next Summit. The D-8 Chair shall preside over all meetings of the principal organs and technical meetings. For all D-8 meetings, the representative of the next chair may function as co-chair of the meeting.
Regarding official language, it was decided in the Charter that English shall be the official language of the Organisation in all meetings, documents and correspondence. The Secretariat shall prepare, in consultation with the D-8 Chair and the host country, the draft agenda for all meetings of the principal organs of the Organisation.
The meetings of the principal organs shall be governed by the Rules of Procedure of the Organisation. The presence of a simple majority of member states constitutes the quorum for D-8 meetings. Extraordinary meetings of the Commission, Council and/or the Summit can be held upon the request of Member States.
One or more Member States may propose the convening of an extraordinary meeting of the Commission, the Council and/or the Summit. The proposal shall be forwarded to the Chairman in Office at least 30 days before the proposed date of the meeting together with the supporting documents explaining the rationale for such a meeting. The extraordinary meeting shall be convened unless at least one Member State raised an objection within 7 days after the receipt of notification. The extraordinary meeting shall be convened in the territory of the requesting Member State with the consent of the Chairman in Office.
Meetings of the principal organs of the Organisation take place in the territory of Member States by rotation. Therefore, any Member State shall be eligible to host D-8 technical meetings. The modality of hosting such meetings shall be decided by the Commission.
Regarding decision making, it has been decided that all decisions in the Summit, Council, and the Commission shall be taken by consensus. Decisions in technical D-8 meetings, may be taken by the simple majority of members present and voting. In case of divergence of views, Member State(s) concerned may record their positions or exercise the right of reservation.
It was also decided through this Charter that D-8 may establish mutually beneficial collaborative relationships with other states, regional or international organisations, institutions, and non-governmental organisations with a view to establishing partnerships and/oor initiating joint projects. The nature and extent of such collaboration shall be determined by the Council of Ministers by consensus.
Representatives of states, international and regional organisations, institutions, or non-governmental organisations may be invited to the inaugural and/or closing ceremonies of the Summit upon the initiative of the host country subject to prior notification of all Member States. Regarding settlement of disputes, it has been decided that in case of a dispute between two or more Member States concerning the interpretation or application of this Charter, the Parties to the dispute shall consult and, if necessary, shall bring the dispute to the attention of the Council for consideration and appropriate decision.
The Secretary-General may also be consulted or requested to use his good offices. In case of a serious breach of the Charter or non-compliance, the matter shall be referred to the Summit for consideration and appropriate decision.
Regarding budget and finance, it has been decided that the budget of the Secretariat shall be financed through the contributions of the Member States based on the scale of assessment established by the Council of Ministers. The Financial Regulations of the D-8 Secretariat shall govern all matters related to the budget and finance. Any amendment of these regulations shall require proper Council consideration and decision.
The Secretariat shall prepare the budget for each year before the end of March of the previous year and shall submit it to the Commission for its consideration, adoption and recommendation to the Council for final approval. It has also been decided that consistent with the objectives and principles of D-8, voluntary and/or project-based contributions from D-8 Member States, other countries, international organisations, institutions, private corporations, or non-governmental organisations, are welcomed.
The necessary modalities to govern the management of such contributions shall be adopted by the Council upon recommendation of the Commission. The funds shall be subject to audit and inspection in the same manner as the regular budget of the Organisation. Any Member State may withdraw from the Organisation through official notification of the D-8 Secretariat.
Withdrawal shall take effect at the end of the financial year of the notification date. All obligations shall remain valid until their complete fulfilment. Any Member State may propose amendments to the present Charter through the Secretariat. Amendments to the Charter shall be made by the Council upon recommendation of the Commission.
Amendments to the present Charter shall come into force for all members when they have been adopted by consensus of the members of the Council and ratified in accordance with their respective constitutional processes of all Members of the Members of the Council. The Charter shall be ratified by the member states in accordance with their respective constitutional practices and the Instrument of Ratification shall be deposited with the Secretariat.
The Secretariat shall officially inform the member states upon the receipt of each Instrument of Ratification. The Charter shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the date the Secretariat receives Instruments of Ratification of five Member States. For each Member State, which ratifies this Charter after the date of its entry into force, as provided in paragraph 2, it shall enter into force on the date of the deposit of the Instrument of Ratification by that State.