Islamabad – 23 October 2025
On the sidelines of the Regional Transport Ministers’ Conference (RTMC 2025), the Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Dr. Asad M. Khan met with H.E. Mr. Rahman Hummatov, Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The meeting focused on enhancing cooperation in regional transport, trade facilitation, and digital connectivity.
The Secretary General emphasized the importance of implementing the outcomes of the 13th ECO Ministerial Meeting on Transport (Tehran, June 2025), particularly the commitments outlined in the Tehran Declaration. He underlined the need for Azerbaijan’s active engagement in the ECO Sustainable and Resilient Transport Strategy 2026–2035, the establishment of the ECO Special Fund for Transport Development, and the Conference on Financing for Transport Projects.
Both sides discussed the strategic importance of the Trans-Caspian Corridor, which serves as a vital component of the Middle Corridor (East–West) and the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The Secretary General emphasized the need for closer cooperation in promoting Ro-Ro services across the Caspian Sea to strengthen multimodal connectivity.
The meeting also touched upon the developing Gabala Airport as a regional air hub under the ECO framework. Discussions further covered ECO’s ongoing efforts to implement digital transit systems (eTIR and eCMR), the ECO–IRU Action Plan, and the creation of Joint Trade Zones to boost cross-border cooperation.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing smart, sustainable, and digitally integrated transport networks for deeper regional connectivity and shared prosperity.
