New York – September 24, 2024
H.E. Dr. Asad M. Khan, Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), met H.E. Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary and Under-Secretary General of the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).
Dr. Khan highlighted the ECO’s unique cultural fusion and its pioneering role in regional cooperation. He proposed creating a consultation group for regular virtual meetings to strengthen collaboration between ECO and ESCAP. Ms. Alisjahbana underscored ESCAP’s expertise in policy dialogue and data processing, inviting Dr. Khan to the 81st Session of UNESCAP in Bangkok in April 2025.
Both sides emphasized the importance of the renewed 2021 MoU that revitalized cooperation between the ECO and ESCAP and explored areas for further partnership, including trade, transport, and disaster risk reduction and discussed the Framework Agreement on Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific, noting that five ECO member states are its signatories. They also considered the UN Secretary-General’s proposal for a summit to enhance cooperation between UN regional commissions and organizations.
