Tehran – 29 October 2025
The ECO Secretariat hosted the 22nd meeting of the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) of the Economic Cooperation Organization to discuss the ongoing projects. The gathering, held in a hybrid format, brought together officials and representatives from ECO Member States both in person and virtually, ensuring broad and inclusive participation across the ECO region.
In his opening address, Secretary General Dr. Asad M. Khan highlighted the progress of ECO’s project portfolio, while underscoring the need to focus on quality, sustainability, and measurable impact, rather than the number of projects. Dr. Khan also reiterated the importance of grant eligibility and bankability as guiding principles for ECO’s project development, referencing ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation with international development partners.
39 regional projects, covering the full spectrum of ECO’s areas of cooperation, were reviewed during the meeting. These projects – ranging from transport, trade and energy to environment, agriculture, and capacity building – were presented by the respective Directors of ECO departments, providing Member States with a detailed overview of implementation progress and proposed adjustments.
The deliberations provided a platform for open dialogue on improving coordination mechanisms, refining strategic priorities, and enhancing project impact in line with the objectives set forth in ECO Vision 2025. A question-and-answer session followed the presentations, allowed Member States representatives to seek clarifications, and raise operational concerns on specific project components. This interactive exchange further contributed to mutual understanding and consensus-building among all stakeholders.
In his concluding remarks, Deputy Secretary General Amb. J.Asanov summarized the main outcomes of the session and encouraged participants to adopt a pragmatic approach in revitalizing underperforming projects and advancing bankable initiatives. He reaffirmed the Secretariat’s readiness to work closely with national focal points and development partners to ensure that ECO projects deliver tangible results for the region.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation by Member States and the Secretariat of their shared commitment to enhance the effectiveness of ECO’s regional cooperation agenda. The outcomes of the 22nd PMG will serve as key inputs into the 29th Council of Ministers and 36th Regional Planning Council.
