KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 (Bernama) -- Except for Nigeria and Egypt, six out of eight leaders from D-8 or developing eight Islamic countries have confirmed attendance at the grouping's sixth summit and related meetings hosted by Malaysia for five days from Friday. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will open the biennial summit on Tuesday. It was last held two years ago in Bali, Indonesia. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in expected to hand over the D-8 chairmanship to Abdullah at the summit here. Malaysia will hold the chairmanship for two years before passing the baton to another member country. Established in 1997 in Turkey, the D-8 comprising Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, Nigeria and Turkey, aims to enhance socio-economic ties and improve their position in the world economy. The leaders will meet amid stiff global challenges such as skyrocketing oil prices and soaring food prices which have exerted immense inflationary pressures in many developing countries, not to mention strikes and street protests in others. Crude oil touched US$143.67 a barrel this week, with expectations it could rise even higher to US$170 by year-end. Poor harvests, low grain stocks and rising demand have propelled global food prices, hitting people in developing nations hardest. The World Bank said 100 million people, including many in poor Islamic nations, risk joining the 850 million already going hungry. Against such a backdrop, there would be much for leaders of the D-8 countries to deliberate on. As far as soaring fuel prices are concerned, Malaysia has made it clear that it wants to forge a united stance in controlling their upward trajectory. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim had said that Malaysia wanted to start the ball rolling in getting the world to discuss how oil producing nations could assume a more prominent role in determining oil prices instead of the speculators. Rais said other issues to be discussed at the summit include democracy and its practices, justice, overlapping charters, bilateral relations and finding solutions to conflicts in various parts of the world. The summit will also provide an opportunity for Abdullah to indicate the grouping's direction. The Foreign Ministry, in a media advisory, said the 2008 Summit is expected to adopt the decision on the setting up of the D-8 Permanent Secretariat and D-8 Roadmap for Economic Cooperation in the Second Decade of Cooperation (2008-2018). The D-8 Secretariat is currently based in Istanbul, Turkey. The summit will start with the 25th session of D-8 Commissioners on July 4-5, 11th D-8 Council of Ministers on July 6 and the summit on July 8. In the run-up to the D-8 Summit, Malaysia is hosting the 10th Meeting of the High Level Trade Officials of D-8 and the D-8 Business Forum on July 3. The group comprises eight most populous Islamic nations spread over three regions -- South Asia represented by Pakistan and Bangladesh, South East Asia by Indonesia and Malaysia, Turkey as part of Europe, and Iran, Egypt and Nigeria representing the Middle East and Africa, respectively. D-8 is also part of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 (Bernama) -- In efforts to bring peace, progress and prosperity to the people, Malaysia and Bosnia and Herzegovina could learn from each other or do it together, said Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin. Tuanku Mizan said that in the current global environment of rising fuel and food prices, as well as concerns over a global economic slowdown, it was imperative for the two countries to cooperate closely in facing these challenges. "Malaysia believes that countries can share experience and expertise and prosper together," the King said in his speech at a state banquet in honour of visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina President Dr Haris Silajdzic at Istana Negara here Monday night. Dr Silajdzic arrived here on Saturday for a five-day visit to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries. Also present at the banquet was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Tuanku Mizan said both Malaysia and Bosnia and Herzegovina shared similar views and perceptions on many international and regional issues of common concern. "We believe in the relevance of multilateralism in a world that has become increasingly complex and constantly facing numerous challenges," the King said. Tuanku Mizan said Malaysia would continue to encourage its businessmen and entrepreneurs to explore trade and investment potential in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The King said Malaysia's past experience in reconstruction efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina could spur the private sector into developing successful business partnerships. "Both countries are making conscious efforts to boost relations as both will benefit from each other's success. "I am confident that this visit will without doubt serve not only to enhance the existing close bilateral relations, but will also provide new impetus to further develop people-to-people relations between our two countries," said Tuanku Mizan.