Astana – 24 April 2026
On the sidelines of the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana, Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Dr. Asad M. Khan, held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Yerlan Nysanbayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The Secretary General expressed gratitude for the invitation to participate in the Regional Ecological Summit, a landmark initiative organized by the President of Kazakhstan under the auspices of the United Nations. Dr. Khan commended Kazakhstan for the successful convening of the Summit, recognizing it as a crucial platform for addressing pressing regional environmental issues and fostering practical cooperation among Central Asian nations and beyond.
During the dialogue, both dignitaries acknowledged the severe and interconnected environmental challenges confronting the ECO region, including soil degradation, sandstorms, floods, and the alarming depletion of the Aral and Caspian Seas. The Secretary General expressed deep appreciation for Kazakhstan’s leadership in these areas, noting the ECO’s keen interest in learning from Kazakhstan’s experience in balancing fossil fuel utilization with robust environmental protection.
The parties also discussed the preparation for the upcoming 6th ECO Ministerial Meeting on Environment, scheduled to be held in Samarkand, Republic of Uzbekistan. Underscoring the critical importance of this sectoral gathering, the Secretary General expressed strong hope for Kazakhstan’s high-level participation.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their mutual commitment to deepening regional ecological cooperation and ensuring a climate-resilient and sustainable future for the ECO Member States.
