The Senior Officials met on January 23, 2023 before the 26th Meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers (COM) scheduled for January 24, 2023. The delegations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Turkiye, Turkmenistan and Republic of Uzbekistan (host) as well as ECO Secretary General participated in the meeting.
While welcoming the delegates, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Furkat Sidikov briefed the meeting on Uzbekistan’s Chairmanship of ECO in 2022, particularly the country’s successful initiatives, including proclamation of 2022 as the Year of Strengthening Connectivity and the organization of the Brainstorming Session with participation of the ECO Deputy Foreign Ministers. Besides, he reiterated Uzbekistan’s desire for continued cooperation among the Member States aimed at greater regional development and integration.
The ECO Secretary General, Ambassador Khusrav Noziri acknowledged the increasing role of Uzbekistan in ECO, specifically the country’s contribution to support, enrich and develop the ECO agenda of mutual cooperation under their Chairmanship in 2022. He also summarized the achievements of the Organization as well as the prospects of regional cooperation and some significant organizational reforms made in 2022.
The Meeting discussed and finalized agenda of the 26th COM Meeting along with the draft Tashkent Communique to be adopted by the COM, while meeting on January 24, 2023.
