H.E. Amb. Dr. Asad M. Khan (Pakistani national) is the ECO Secretary General. He is the 14th Secretary General of the ECO who started his tenure in August 2024.
Amb. Dr. Asad M. Khan
The Secretary General of the Organization is elected and appointed by the ECO Council of Ministers (COM), for a three-year non-renewable office term, from among the candidates nominated by Member States based on the qualification, experience and eligibility as described in the ECO Staff Regulations.
As the Chief Administrative Officer, the honourable Secretary General is responsible for ensuring all the organizational activities in line with the envisaged aims, objectives as well as the defined policies and programs of the Organization.
The incumbent Amb. Dr. Asad M. Khan is a national of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan who took over his responsibilities as the 14th Secretary General of the ECO in August 2024.
Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Asad M. Khan is a Pakistan Foreign Service Officer with over 35 years of experience in diplomacy. Before assuming his responsibilities as the Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization, he served as the 31st Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, advising the government on foreign relations. Dr. Khan held ambassadorial roles in the United States, European Union, Japan and Belgium, with additional non-resident appointments to Luxembourg, Jamaica and the Bahamas. His multilateral experience includes roles at the UN, where he served in various capacities including Chef de Cabinet for ECOSOC, Sherpa for Pakistan’s Prime Minister, and Vice Chair for the Rio+20 Conference.
Additional Key Positions held by Ambassador Khan include:
Head of Americas Desk (2016-2017); Managed Pakistan’s relations with the Americas, including the USA, Brazil, and Canada;
Head of West Asian Desk (2015-2016): Oversaw relations with Iran, Turkey, Central Asian countries, and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO);
Additional Secretary (Foreign Affairs) at the President’s Secretariat (2011-2012): Advised the President of Pakistan on foreign policy and national security;
Head of Multilateral Affairs Desk (2010-2011): Addressed issues like terrorism, peacekeeping, UN reforms, sustainable development, and human rights;
Minister-Counsellor at the Permanent Mission to the UN (2004-2010): Represented Pakistan in the UN’s Second Committee and ECOSOC, focusing on economic and sustainable development;
G-77 Coordinator for COP 13 (UNFCCC) in Bali: Played a key role in finalizing the Bali Plan of Action;
Director SAARC (2004): Led preparations for the 12th SAARC Summit in Islamabad;
Director (Economic Coordination) (2001-2004): Negotiated bilateral and regional trade agreements for Pakistan, including ECOTA, SAFTA;
Second Secretary, Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo (1993-1996): Served the Embassy after completing language training: Also handled Pakistan’s relations with US and India early in his career;
Education: Dr. Khan holds a Doctorate in International Economic and Business Law (LL.D.) from Kyushu University, Japan, specializing in WTO dispute settlement and anti-dumping practices. He is also a resource person at leading universities and training institutions in Pakistan;
He is married and has two children.
| Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary General Osman Gundogdu Tel: (+9821) 22831733 ext.: 311 Email: osman@eco.int | Secretary to Secretary General Ms. Mojgan Mirzajani Tel: (+9821) 22831730 Email: mmirzajani@eco.int |
