Sheki, Azerbaijan – 29 October 2025
The State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan hosted the First Meeting of the ECO Silk Road Task Force on 29 October 2025 in the historic city of Sheki. The meeting gathered tourism experts from ECO Member States, the UN Tourism as well as representatives of the ECO Secretariat to strengthen cooperation on promoting Silk Road themed tourism across the region.
Discussions focused on the current state of Silk Road tourism initiatives within the ECO Member States and explored future opportunities for collaboration under the ECO framework. Participants underlined the importance of joint actions to enhance cultural connectivity, preserve heritage sites, and promote the ECO region as a unified Silk Road destination, utilizing this branding more efficiently.
A key highlight of the meeting was the official launch of the Second Special Edition of the ECO Chronicle, dedicated to UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the ECO Region. The publication which is available at tourism.eco.int showcases the region’s rich cultural heritage and reinforces ECO’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive tourism development.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of a Declaration, setting out recommendations and commitments by the Member States to develop coordinated Silk Road tourism campaigns and pursue collaborative initiatives under the ECO umbrella.
Delegates also enjoyed a sightseeing program in Sheki, one of Azerbaijan’s renowned UNESCO World Heritage Sites, celebrated for its traditional architecture, craftsmanship, and historical charm.
The gathering marked a significant step forward in advancing the ECO’s strategic objective of revitalizing Silk Road tourism through strengthened regional cooperation and cultural exchange.
