Shusha, Azerbaijan — 29 April 2026
The 7th Ministerial Meeting on Tourism of the Economic Cooperation Organization was successfully held in the historic city of Shusha, designated as the ECO Tourism Capital for 2026. The high-level gathering brought together Ministers and senior representatives from ECO Member States.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan, ECO Secretary General, highlighted the region’s strong tourism performance, noting that international visitor numbers to ECO Member States surpassed 105 million in 2025. He emphasized the importance of collective action to achieve the ambitious targets for 2035 including increasing tourism’s contribution to national economies and enhancing regional competitiveness.
The ECO Secretary General formally presented the certificate to the Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the opening of the meeting.
The Ministers deliberated on a range of strategic initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable and inclusive tourism growth. These included official the launch of the ECO Compendium of Best Practices in Ecotourism, and the Policy Brief on Diversifying Regional Tourism as well as the selection of Aktau as the ECO Tourism Capital 2030. The Meeting also discussed strengthening tourism education, jointly marketing of destinations and promoting investment opportunities across the region.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing tourism as a driver of economic growth, cultural exchange, and regional connectivity. They emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage and promoting tourism as a force for peace, stability, and mutual understanding.
The Meeting concluded with a group photo and appreciating messages to the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan for its warm hospitality and excellent organization of the event.
