Adgham – July 01, 2025
The Republic of Azerbaijan hosted the First ECO Youth Forum in Aghdam City under the theme “Enhancing the Role of Youth for Building a Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Future.” The forum brought together young leaders from ECO Member States to engage in strategic discussions and contribute to policy frameworks, emphasizing their critical role in shaping the future of the region.
The Forum discussed key objectives including raising awareness among young leaders about regional issues and policy-making processes, fostering collaboration through the exchange of ideas, and developing actionable policy recommendations for Strategic Objectives of the Economic Cooperation 2035.
The ECO Secretary General, Dr. Asad M. Khan highlighted the critical role of youth in shaping the future of the ECO region. Dr. Khan emphasized the importance of empowering young people through education, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement to drive sustainable development, economic growth, and regional collaboration. Dr. Khan reaffirmed ECO’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where the voices of youth are not only heard but acted upon, paving the way for a prosperous and united future for the region.
The delegations’ discussions centered on three main themes: Economic and Trade Cooperation, which explored opportunities for intra-regional trade, removing barriers, and promoting youth entrepreneurship and the digital economy; Sustainability and Technology, which addressed climate-resilient development and the role of AI and digital transformation in regional growth; and Human Development and People-to-People Ties, which focused on education, health, youth mobility, and tourism, while strengthening cultural and historical connections among member states.
The outcomes of the forum reflect a collective commitment to building a sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient future, with young leaders at the forefront of this vision.
