Indonesia to Lead Global Islamic Economy as Host of D-8 Halal Expo 2026

Indonesia is set to lead the global Islamic economy by hosting the D-8 Summit and the D-8 Halal Expo Indonesia (HEI) in 2026. The country officially assumes the chairmanship of the Developing 8 (D-8) organization, a bloc of eight developing nations including Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, from Egypt for the 2026-2027 period.

The global Islamic economy shows significant growth, with the State of the Global Islamic Economy (SGIE) Report 2025/2026 projecting global Muslim consumer spending to reach approximately $2.4 trillion in 2024 and potentially rise to $3.6 trillion by 2028. The broader halal market is already valued at around $5.2 trillion.

The D-8 countries, representing a market of over 1.2 billion people and a combined GDP exceeding $5 trillion, possess substantial economic power to become a hub for the global halal industry. Their collective strength lies not only in market size but also in their international trade networks, making inter-country partnerships crucial for bolstering business collaboration, investment, and halal value chains.

Indonesia, as the world's most populous Muslim nation, holds a unique position. Its well-developed Islamic economy ecosystem, encompassing institutions, halal certification systems, Islamic finance, and philanthropic instruments, provides a strong foundation. As chair, Indonesia aims to foster cooperation and solidarity among Global South nations, focusing on shared value creation and business community engagement. The theme for its chairmanship is "Navigating Global Changes: Strengthening Equality, Solidarity, and Cooperation for Shared Prosperity."

Beyond economic objectives, Indonesia intends to use its D-8 leadership to promote de-escalation of regional conflicts and enhance humanitarian solidarity. This chairmanship is viewed as a pivotal moment for Indonesia to accelerate its national Islamic economy transformation, capitalizing on its potential and addressing associated challenges.