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D-8 Secretary General Warns of Global Order Erosion, Calls for United Action Against Disinformation
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Secretary General of the Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8), has issued a stark warning about the fragmentation of global order and called for coordinated international efforts to combat the growing threat of disinformation.
In an exclusive interview with Yeni Şafak, Mahmood described the current geopolitical landscape as experiencing a “rupture or erosion of the global order.” He specifically highlighted misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech as destructive forces that “create alternate realities” and “accentuate existing fault lines while building new cleavages.”
“The world must come together to reverse the deluge of misinformation and disinformation,” Mahmood emphasized. “Governments, multilateral organizations, big tech companies, media, and civil society must work collaboratively to ensure that false narratives do not manipulate global realities. We should strive for harmony rather than discord.”
The Ambassador referenced the United Nations’ global initiative on information integrity as a model, stressing that truthful communication and shared understanding have become essential prerequisites for maintaining international peace and cooperation in today’s interconnected world.
Mahmood’s comments come at a time when global information ecosystems face unprecedented challenges from algorithmic amplification of divisive content, state-sponsored disinformation campaigns, and declining trust in traditional information sources.
Founded in 1997 under the initiative of former Turkish Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, the D-8 has evolved into a significant economic bloc comprising eight major developing nations from the Muslim world: Türkiye, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Egypt. The organization expanded its membership last year when Azerbaijan became its ninth member.
The collective economic footprint of the D-8 is substantial, representing more than 1.2 billion people and a combined GDP exceeding $5 trillion. This makes the bloc an increasingly important player in the global economic landscape, particularly among developing economies with predominantly Muslim populations.
According to Ambassador Mahmood, the D-8’s current priorities are guided by its Decennial Roadmap 2020-2030, which focuses on key development areas including energy, transportation, tourism, health, and technology. These priorities reflect the organization’s commitment to sustainable development and economic integration among member states.
In a significant move to address information challenges, Mahmood announced plans to establish a Center of Excellence for Information and Media in Baku, Azerbaijan. This initiative acknowledges the transformation of global conflict dynamics beyond traditional domains.
“Humanity traditionally viewed warfare through land, air, and maritime domains,” Mahmood explained. “But the information domain has become equally crucial — many battles today are waged through misleading content and twisted facts.”
The proposed center will function as an affiliated body within the D-8’s institutional framework, working in coordination with member states’ official news agencies and media organizations. Its primary objectives include enhancing the D-8’s international visibility, strengthening cooperation among member countries’ media sectors, and effectively projecting the organization’s narrative on the global stage.
“Once established, this center will make a significant contribution to promoting the D-8’s perspective internationally and fostering collaboration among member countries in the information domain,” Mahmood said. “It will be a vital hub within the D-8 framework for building mutual understanding and advancing shared values.”
As the D-8 approaches its 30th anniversary, this initiative represents a strategic adaptation to evolving global challenges. The organization’s recognition of information integrity as a critical component of international cooperation reflects broader concerns about how digital communication technologies can either strengthen or undermine global stability and development.
The center’s establishment signals the D-8’s commitment to not only economic cooperation but also to addressing emerging challenges in the information landscape that affect global governance, security, and social cohesion.
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5 Comments
The erosion of global order due to the spread of misinformation is a concerning trend. I’m glad to see the D-8 leadership taking this issue seriously and advocating for a united response. Restoring trust in information sources should be a top priority.
Cooperation is key to combating disinformation. The D-8 Secretary General makes a compelling case for global unity in the fight against false narratives and manipulative content. Multilateral efforts will be crucial to protecting the integrity of information.
I agree, a coordinated international response is needed to address the growing threat of disinformation. Governments, tech companies, media, and civil society all have a role to play in this effort.
Disinformation is a complex challenge that requires a nuanced approach. While I appreciate the Secretary General’s call for global cooperation, I’m curious to hear more specifics on how such collaborative efforts could be structured and implemented effectively.
That’s a fair point. The details around international coordination will be critical to the success of any anti-disinformation initiative. I hope the UN’s global program can provide a solid framework to build upon.