The 2nd Meeting of the Sub-Working Group on the Establishment of the ECO Joint Trade Zones

The 2nd Meeting of the Sub-Working Group on the Establishment of the ECO Joint Trade Zones was held on 3 November 2025 in city of Gorgan, Gulistan Province of Islamic Republic of Iran with the participation of representatives from ECO Secretariat and three ECO Member States: The Islamic Republic of Iran, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Kazakhstan. The delegation of ECO was headed by Deputy Secretary General and comprising Director for trade and the Legal Advisor.
The meeting underscored the importance of regional cooperation and streamlining logistical frameworks to promote sustainable trade across the ECO Joint Trade Zones. Delegates reviewed progress on baseline standards, customs procedures, and transparency measures, and expressed commitment to advancing concrete actions, including pilot corridor initiatives and capacity-building programs for participating member states.
Participants engaged in productive dialogue and exchanged constructive feedback on both the practical and legal aspects of implementing Joint Trade Zones at the borders. They also paid a courtesy visit to Inche-Borun to gain on-the-ground perspectives. The meeting concluded with a consensus to continue deliberations on the establishment of the Joint Trade Zone, with plans to outline concrete milestones, coordinate with relevant authorities, and assess regulatory and infrastructural requirements.