Baku: Regional integration enables countries to solve problems together, Mahmoud Mohieldin, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, said during the panel discussion titled 'Drivers of Regional Integration in IsDB Regions' held as part of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group Annual Meetings 2026 in Baku, APA reports.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, Mohieldin emphasized that neighboring countries share not only problems but also solutions. He highlighted the significance of regional integration not only for international organizations but also for expanding trade, investment, and knowledge exchange. The envoy underscored that the 57 member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation should be viewed from the perspective of regional cooperation opportunities, which expands operations, strengthens complementarities, and creates opportunities for knowledge exchange, particularly for countries that share borders.
Mohieldin noted that advancements in transport and communication technologies have expanded the boundaries of the concept of a region. He explained that the concept is no longer limited to geographical proximity, allowing for global reach within hours, which creates new opportunities for cooperation and integration. He also mentioned the shift in the global economy's center of gravity from the West to the East over recent decades, pointing out that although OIC countries constitute approximately one-quarter of the world's population, their share in the global economy and trade remains lower.
He highlighted that about 25% of the world's population resides in OIC countries, yet their share in global GDP is around 10-12%, and their share in global trade is approximately 10-13%. This indicates that the existing potential has not been fully realized. Mohieldin cited ASEAN's experience as an example of successful regional cooperation, noting its economic achievements due to sustained cooperation, pragmatic approaches, and gradual development.
Mohieldin concluded by stating that closer cooperation in trade, investment, knowledge exchange, and mobility can help countries overcome crises and create new opportunities for sustainable development. He emphasized that regional integration presents a choice between collective development and prosperity or the risk of fragmentation and stagnation.