The Economic Cooperation Organization organized 1st Virtual Meeting of the ECO regional network of research institutions/centers and think tanks operating in the field of energy studies. Representatives from ECO Member States, namely Azerbaijan, Iran, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and the President of ECO Science Foundation participated in the meeting.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Ambassador Huseyin Avni Bicakli, Deputy Secretary General of ECO expressed that ECO strives for building up the diverse and resilient energy architecture in the Region via mainstreaming sustainable energy transition in its overall energy agenda and transformation to clean energy sources. He also emphasized that the accomplishment of its strategic energy objective requires a supportive policy environment which shall entail, inter alia, broad political consensus and involvement of all stakeholders from public and private sectors, while identification of energy mix is the independent decision of countries according to their national circumstances and priorities. As a key note speaker, Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro, President of ECO Science Foundation, stated that supply of reliable, clean and affordable energy remains critical for ECO Member Countries for developing essential industrial and economic base in order to become regionally competitive in today’s fast-changing world.
During the meeting, the participants were acquainted with ECO Strategy for energy cooperation and its action plan prepared by the consultants from Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran, hired to develop as a bankable project in the future. The subject document is envisioned to be adopted during 4th Energy Ministerial Meeting.
Participants from Member States such as Iran and Turkey commented with cooperation proposals in storage batteries for the development of renewable energy sources, and enhancing export potential in energy. Additionally, the idea of developing ECO information database on energy statistics was put as means of cooperation amongst interested entities of Member States. Next meeting of network is advised to be held in the second half of 2021.
During the meeting, the participants were acquainted with ECO Strategy for energy cooperation and its action plan prepared by the consultants from Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran, hired to develop as a bankable project in the future. The subject document is envisioned to be adopted during 4th Energy Ministerial Meeting.
Participants from Member States such as Iran and Turkey commented with cooperation proposals in storage batteries for the development of renewable energy sources, and enhancing export potential in energy. Additionally, the idea of developing ECO information database on energy statistics was put as means of cooperation amongst interested entities of Member States. Next meeting of network is advised to be held in the second half of 2021.
