On 24 June 2021 The Fourth ECO Energy Ministerial Meeting was held virtually and hosted by the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Meeting was attended by delegations of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Republic of Azerbaijan (host), Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Turkey, Turkmenistan and Republic of Uzbekistan as well as the Secretary General of ECO along with other relevant officials of the ECO Secretariat. Turkish Cypriot State as an observer to ECO also has taken place at the event. Delegates from Energy Charter, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Islamic Development Bank attended the meeting.
The ECO Secretary General His Excellency Dr. Hadi Soleimanpour delivered a welcome statement and noted that ECO has been undergoing paradigm shift in mainstreaming sustainable energy development. Establishment of ECO Clean Energy Centre, promotion of Regional Electricity Market and endeavours to enhance energy security in the ECO region are clear token of such efforts. He also pointed out great achievement that ECO Member States decided to put forward new Energy Strategy up to 2030.
His Excellency Mr. Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Chairman of the Meeting) extended felicities that new opportunities for green energy in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan and their positive impact on the climate change mitigation efforts have been acknowledged by the ECO Member States and reflected in the Baku Declaration. Besides, Minister Shahbazov acknowledged support for projects such as establishment of ECO Clean Energy Center, ECO Regional Electricity Market, as well as highlighted significance of new energy strategy as an important policy guidance to put forward regional energy cooperation priorities of ECO Member States.
Head of delegations from Member States delivered key not statements emphasizing importance to enhance regional energy cooperation in clean energy, energy security, addressing UN SDGs as well as boosting business ties in the ECO region.
The Member States discussed and approved a number of documents on giving impetus to the future energy cooperation of the region. Namely, declaration on the conclusion of 4th ECO Energy Ministerial Meeting, “Roadmap on Realization of ECO Regional Electricity Market Project”, The Charter on Establishment of ECO Clean Energy Center, as well as the ECO Strategy/Plan of Action 2030.
The extended information can be obtained from the Report of the 4th ECO Energy Ministerial Meeting, upon distribution by the Secretariat.
For further information, please do not hesitate to contact:
Mr. Mamatmusa Ukubaev, ECO Secretariat ukubaev@eco.int
