Astana, 13 October 2026 – Dr. Asad M. Khan, Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), met with H.E. Mr. Arman Issagaliyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, on the sidelines of the Silk Way Forum in Astana.
At the outset of the meeting, the Secretary General warmly congratulated H.E. Mr. Arman Issagaliyev on his appointment as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and conveyed his best wishes for success in the discharge of his important responsibilities. He expressed confidence in the continuation of close cooperation between ECO and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue and coordination in further advancing the Organization’s objectives and strengthening regional cooperation among Member States.
Dr. Khan underscored Kazakhstan’s important role as an active Member State of ECO and commended the country for its major initiatives and valuable contributions to advancing regional cooperation, economic integration and connectivity. He highlighted the importance of Kazakhstan’s continued engagement in promoting practical cooperation and advancing the shared objectives of the Organization.
The Secretary General expressed his appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan for hosting the 14th ECO Ministerial Meeting on Transport on 15 October 2026 in Astana. He noted that the meeting would provide an important opportunity to strengthen regional transport cooperation and advance the development of efficient, sustainable and resilient transport corridors across the ECO region. In this context, he highlighted the forthcoming adoption of the ECO Sustainable and Resilient Transport Strategy 2026–2035 as an important step towards establishing a common strategic framework for enhancing regional connectivity, facilitating trade and transit, and promoting closer cooperation among Member States.
The Secretary General also invited the Kazakh side to take the necessary steps towards the ratification of relevant ECO legal instruments signed by Kazakhstan, emphasizing that their entry into force would strengthen the legal framework for regional cooperation and facilitate the implementation of agreed initiatives.
The two sides further exchanged views on strengthening the institutional capacity and organizational structure of the ECO Secretariat to enable it to respond more effectively to the evolving priorities of Member States, enhance coordination, and improve the implementation of regional cooperation programmes and initiatives.
The discussions also covered upcoming ECO activities and high-level engagements, including the forthcoming Council of Ministers meeting and ECO Summit. Both sides emphasized the importance of continued consultations and close coordination among Member States to ensure the successful preparation of these important events and advance the shared priorities of the Organization.
Deputy Minister Issagaliyev thanked the Secretary General for his visit and highlighted Kazakhstan’s important role in advancing regional transport and transit connectivity. He emphasized the significance of cooperation within the ECO framework in promoting regional economic development, facilitating trade and strengthening links between regional and international markets.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of ECO and the Republic of Kazakhstan to further strengthening cooperation, enhancing the effectiveness of the Organization and advancing regional connectivity and economic integration for the mutual benefit of all ECO Member States.
