The 9th ECO Minerals Experts Group Meeting (MEGM-9) was organized in hybrid mode on 12 February 2025.
Chaired by Dr. Nawaz Ahmad Virk, Director General of Minerals of the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) of Pakistan, the meeting brought together the representatives of eight ECO Member States: Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Türkiye and Turkmenistan. It provided a timely opportunity for stocktaking and advancement of the comprehensive regional agenda in the minerals sector in view of the long-term global forecasts on the growing demand in minerals and new commodity markets.
In his opening speech, Dr. Fuad Farzalibeyov, Director of Energy, Minerals and Environment of the ECO Secretariat highlighted the need in consolidating political will, enhancement of ownership and streamlining project-oriented cooperation to achieve more impactful regional cooperation in minerals. ECO Secretariat made a briefing on the draft “ECO Five-Year Roadmap on Minerals Cooperation for 2026-2030” as the first ever overarching, inclusive and guiding framework document for regional cooperation in the field of minerals.
The deliberations focused on finding optimal solutions for launching and implementation of a number of project proposals, particularly the Eco-Environmental Quality Index Map of the ECO Region (ECO-EQI), which seeks to improve environmental management and promote sustainable practices in mining operations across the region.
Additionally, the meeting discussed the critical role of the sustainable management of mineral resources and sustainable mining practices, resource efficiency agenda, as well as the digital transformation in geology. Proposals for integrating digital tools and artificial intelligence into geological data management were shared, emphasizing the necessity for multilateral cooperation to tackle common challenges.
Overall, the meeting revived the dialogue and collaboration among ECO Member States in the field of minerals. Participants agreed to prioritize the implementation of the proposed initiatives and to consider hosting future meetings.
Related Documents:
DRAFT REPORT – 9th Minerals Experts Group Meeting
Annex-I_LoP of the 9th MEGM_11.02.2025
Annex-II_Welcoming Remarks of Chairman at MEGM-9
Annex-III_Opening Speech of ECO Director at MEGM-9
Annex IV – 9th MEGM – Draft Agenda and Annotated Draft Agenda
Annex-V_Remarks from GSI of Iran
Annex-VI_1st Presentation from GSI of Iran on ECO EQI (1)
Annex-VIII_2nd Presentation from GSI of Iran