At the invitation of the Government of Turkmenistan and the UNOHRLLS, the ECO Secretary General, H.E. Ambassador Khusrav Noziri, virtually participated at the Ministerial Transport Conference of Landlocked Developing Countries held in Awaza on August 15-16, 2022 dedicated to the connectivity of landlocked countries. The Conference was chaired by H.E. Mr. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
The international event held under the theme of “Ashgabat process: Financing for Better Connectivity” was attended by heads of international organizations and banks, ministers of transport of the various countries, representatives from different countries, including ECO Member States also participated in the Conference.
The ECO Secretary General in his statement, underlined the importance of the Conference at this juncture of time and venue as manifestation of urgency of sustainable connectivity and transport for the world in general and the LLDCs in particular.
He further elaborated that for achieving the progressive target, the ECO has adopted a holistic approach entailing policy making, establishing legal framework, implementing international standard procedures and conventions, development of infrastructure, capacity building, technical cooperation, coordination mechanism and collaboration with relevant international partners and banks.
He highlighted that in comparison with the last decade, the ECO has accomplished tangible transport projects in the areas of road, rail, civil aviation and maritime, accession to various legal agreements and conventions that have resulted in better regional connectivity. The Secretary General described the ECO Transit Transport Framework Agreement (TTFA) as the main regional legal instrument that covers almost all components of transport and regulates the cooperation of the Member States through its Coordination Council and the technical committees.
H.E. Mr. Khusrav Noziri proposed the following actions to be considered for facilitation of transit to LLDCs: development of border crossing facilities for safe passage of trucks and passengers with least personal contact, digitalization of transit procedures, standard health protocols, diversified transit routes, electronic visa, elimination of permits and quotas, elimination of costly transshipment measures at some borders, establishment of joint border monitoring systems and further infrastructure development.
He also expressed readiness of the ECO, as an efficiently functional regional organization to share knowledge and experiences and also join the interested international partners to further contribute to the enhanced connectivity among its Members and with the world.
