The ECO Secretary General Ambassador Khusrav Noziri, who is in Tashkent to attend the 26th Meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers (COM), made a courtesy call on the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
During the interaction held on January 24, 2023, the Honourable President appreciated the ECO Secretary General for facilitating the successful organization of the COM event in Tashkent. To promote regional cooperation and harmony amongst the Member States, particularly in Central Asian Countries due to the increasing global disputes and economic concerns, he noted that the role of ECO has become increasingly crucial. Moreover, he desired for an early completion of all development projects in the region with a view to securing some tangible outcomes before the 16th ECO Summit to be hosted by Uzbekistan later in 2023. He also expressed his pleasure over the expanding number of scholarships in the International University of Tourism in Samarkand being offered to the students from the ECO Region.
The ECO Secretary General thanked the Honourable President for his kind patronage and support to Organization, especially during Uzbekistan’s Chairmanship of the ECO in 2022. Besides, the Secretary General congratulated Uzbekistan for successfully hosting the 26th Meeting of the COM in Tashkent that witnessed maximum presence of the Honorable Foreign Ministers of the Member States. Acknowledging the Uzbekistan’s growing role in the Organization, he commended the country’s contribution to develop and enrich the agenda of the ECO. Also, he praised the luminous initiatives of Uzbekistan, including the declaration of 2022 as the “Year of Strengthening Connectivity” in the region. He mentioned that the given concept has set such a trend of year-wise titling in the ECO, proclaiming the 2023 as the “Year of Green Transition and Interconnectivity” under the Chairmanship of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In addition, the Secretary General recalled some other important initiatives of Uzbekistan, including the establishment of High-Level Committee to consider sequel reforms in ECO and the prospects of cooperation in the region, as well as the creation of a High-Level Dialogue Platform on environment. Briefing on some significant activities in trade and connectivity, energy, tourism, etc., the Secretary General acknowledged that the selection of Shakhrisabz city of Uzbekistan as the ECO Tourism Capital for 2024 is projected to make significant development in regional tourism and increase the worldwide visibility of the ECO.
