Tehran – March 12, 2025
The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) convened an online technical consultation meeting to discuss proposed amendments to the Draft ECO Agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters. The meeting was attended by representatives from 9 ECO Member States, marking a significant step forward in enhancing regional customs cooperation and strengthening trade facilitation measures.
The meeting focused on introduction of the provisions on customs data exchange with international best practices, including the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to establish stricter safeguards for handling information, and ensuring data protection as a priority in cross-border trade operations.
The technical consultation provided a platform for in-depth discussions, leading draft text, expected to be signed at the 5th Ministerial Meeting on Commerce and Foreign Trade in Istanbul on June 25, 2025. Once finalized, this landmark Agreement will play a crucial role in streamlining customs operations, reducing trade barriers, and fostering deeper economic integration across the ECO region.
For more information, please contact: Economic Cooperation Organization Secretariat, Trade and Investment Directorate.
