New York – September 2026
The 27th Informal Meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Council of Ministers was held on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, under the chairmanship of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and attended by Foreign Ministers and Heads of Delegation from ECO Member States, along with observer members.
The Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization, Dr. Asad M. Khan, presented a brief report on the activities of the Organization to the Council. He thanked Pakistan for its able stewardship of the Organization in 2026 under the new arrangement wherein each Member state would steer the organization for a period of two years.
The Council reviewed the progress of ongoing ECO projects and initiatives, with a particular focus on advancing trade and enhancing regional connectivity. The Council also reaffirmed the collective commitment to comprehensive reforms aimed at revitalizing ECO as a dynamic and result-oriented regional forum.
The Secretary General emphasized the importance of greater political ownership and commitment from Member States to unlock the full potential of the Organization. He underscored that fostering economic cooperation among Member States remains an integral part of ECO’s agenda.
The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to deepen regional cooperation, expand ECO corridors for greater intra-and-inter-regional connectivity, and to translate discussions into concrete action for the benefit of the people of the ECO region. Looking forward, the Council also highlighted the Council of Ministers Meeting scheduled to take place in November in Islamabad which would serve as an important occasion to strengthen collective commitments, and chart the future direction of ECO cooperation.
