KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has expressed its full support for the Cairo Declaration adopted during the 11th Summit of the Developing Eight (D-8) in Cairo, aimed at empowering youth as catalysts for sustainable economic growth.
Delivering Malaysia's national statement at the summit, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir underlined the nation's commitment to youth development, particularly in the economic and entrepreneurial sectors.
"We are dealing with a generation of youth in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), innovation, and advanced technologies. Hence, a balanced education must integrate these advancements with moral and ethical values.
"Compassion and humanity must remain at the core of our education system because a society that loses these values is one that is adrift. This is also a key emphasis by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim," he said in a statement on Friday.
The two-day D-8 Summit, which commenced on Wednesday, carried the theme "Investing in Youth and Supporting SMEs: Shaping Tomorrow's Economy".
Zambry noted that the meeting of Heads of State and Government at the summit reached a consensus to support the Cairo Declaration as a testament to their commitment to empower youth as future leaders and drivers of sustainable economic growth.
He emphasised that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of economic resilience and innovation.
"Within the D-8 framework, strengthening SMEs and fostering cross-border collaboration in emerging industries such as the halal economy, agribusiness, green technology, and digital solutions among D-8 member countries could unlock unprecedented opportunities," he said.
He added that as part of the D-8 bloc, Malaysia proposed that member countries offer scholarships, vocational training, and targeted start-up programmes to empower youth in Palestine, who continue to face an unresolved conflict, as they, too, have dreams and a generation to nurture.
Meanwhile, Zambry said the Egyptian government hosted a special session during the D-8 Summit to discuss the current situation in Palestine and Lebanon.
"It is clear that double standards govern every action of the international community. The world has witnessed and condemned Israel's atrocities; but no one, no entity, has been able to stop them.
"This is because Israel is backed by Western powers — powers that champion human rights and democracy, but only when it suits their interests, indifferent to the loss of Palestinian lives in the process," he said.
Zambry called on the D-8 bloc to act swiftly and collectively.
"History will judge us not by the speeches we make today but by the actions we take. Let it not be said that we stood idle while Palestinians suffered.
"Let it not be said that we allowed hypocrisy to dictate the cause of justice. The D-8 must overcome this hypocrisy.
"We must be the voice of the voiceless. We must stand united in one voice, and with one action," he asserted.