Ambassador Sohail Mahmood highlights D-8 potential for technology, AI cooperation at TEKNOFEST
Celina Ali
Islamabad: Secretary-General of the Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) Ambassador Sohail Mahmood has called for stronger technology cooperation among member states, stressing the need to harness emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, to accelerate economic development and innovation across the eight-member grouping.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood made the remarks during his visit to TEKNOFEST in Şanlıurfa, Türkiye, where he engaged with senior Turkish policymakers, technology leaders, research institutions and young innovators to explore new avenues for cooperation in industry, technology and innovation among D-8 countries.
The D-8 Secretary-General participated in the latest edition of TEKNOFEST from September 30 to October 4 at the invitation of Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır.
During his two-day visit to Şanlıurfa, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood attended the high-profile technology festival, which brought together leading technology institutions, companies, researchers, innovators and young people. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also addressed the participants and attended the award ceremony for winners of various technology competitions.
The D-8 chief held a series of high-level meetings and interactions with key figures associated with Türkiye’s rapidly expanding technology and innovation ecosystem, including Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Deputy Minister Muhammet Kasım Gönüllü, TEKNOFEST Board Chairman and T3 Foundation Chairman Selçuk Bayraktar, Presidency’s Head of Cyber Security Ümit Önal and TÜBİTAK President Prof Dr Orhan Aydın.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood also interacted with senior representatives of TÜBİTAK, ASELSAN, HAVELSAN and other participating institutions, discussing opportunities to expand technological cooperation and knowledge-sharing among D-8 member states.
During these engagements, the D-8 Secretary-General highlighted the enormous potential for developing a stronger and more integrated D-8 technology partnership at a time when rapid technological advances are reshaping economies, industries and societies worldwide.
He briefed his interlocutors on progress in various areas of D-8 sectoral cooperation and emphasised the importance of translating the grouping’s economic potential into deeper practical collaboration in industry, science and technology.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood particularly underscored the need for greater cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, describing technological collaboration as an important avenue for promoting innovation, enhancing industrial capabilities and creating new opportunities for the young populations of D-8 countries.
The Secretary-General also toured pavilions showcasing advanced technologies and innovative products, where he received briefings on cutting-edge developments by leading companies and institutions.
He took particular interest in the participation of young innovators at TEKNOFEST, interacting with participants and learning about award-winning projects developed through the festival’s technology competitions.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood also met Şanlıurfa Governor Hasan Şıldak on the sidelines of the festival and congratulated him on the successful hosting of TEKNOFEST in the historic “City of Prophets.”
He appreciated the arrangements made for foreign delegates to experience Şanlıurfa’s rich historical and cultural heritage, as well as its tourism potential.
In his media interactions, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood congratulated Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Selçuk Bayraktar and the partner institutions for successfully organising the festival, which attracted more than one million visitors.
He particularly appreciated the strong participation of young people, noting that their enthusiasm and engagement reflected the growing role of youth in driving technological innovation and shaping the future of the digital economy.
The D-8 Secretary-General described TEKNOFEST as an internationally recognised technology platform and said its Şanlıurfa edition offered a compelling demonstration of Türkiye’s growing technological capabilities across a wide range of sectors.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood expressed the hope that D-8 member states would develop closer and mutually beneficial links with TEKNOFEST, enabling the grouping to create new channels for technology transfer, innovation, research, entrepreneurship and knowledge-sharing.
He emphasised that stronger connections between D-8 countries and technology platforms such as TEKNOFEST could contribute to building a more dynamic ecosystem of cooperation and help member states benefit collectively from the opportunities emerging from rapid technological transformation.