ECO Secretary General and UN High Representative Meet in New York

The ECO Secretary General, Ambassador Khusrav Noziri and the UN High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS), Ms. Rabab Fatima met on September 19, 2023 in New York. 

Held on sidelines of the 78th UNGA Session, the bilateral interaction featured discussions on issues of mutual interest including, inter alia, some development challenges of ECO landlocked countries as well as scope of ECO-OHRLLS joint initiatives in regional trade and connectivity sectors. 

Expressing pleasure over the expanding ECO-UN relations, Ambassador Noziri emphasized the importance of a biennial Resolution adopted on August 25, 2023 by 77^th UNGA Session on ECO-UN Cooperation that encourages an enhanced coordination between the ECO and UN Agencies. He briefed the UN High Representative on certain activities of the Organization carried out for development of ECO intra-and-inter-regional transport linkages through various road and railway networks. Moreover, he mentioned about the concept for establishing air hub in the eastern part of the region which is especially aimed at facilitating the ECO landlocked countries in their efforts to secure greater transport connectivity. Looking forward to OHRLLS’s support and involvement in such important initiatives, he proposed the establishment of a joint mechanism in a bid to oxygenate ECO endeavours for improving regional transport links and other developing sectors. 

The UN dignitary appreciated the ECO for its kind dedication towards overall regional development. Noting the strenuous impacts of climate change particularly on landlocked nations, Ms. Fatima also reciprocated the idea for further consolidating the level of OHRLLS-ECO cooperative link. To this end, she said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) could define all areas in which the two sides had the potential to collaborate and move on. Illuminating their mandate and agenda, she invited the ECO’s participation in the LDC Conference scheduled for June 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda.