4 June 2026 – Dr. Asad M. Khan, Secretary‑General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), participated today in the Opening Ceremony of the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) , held in Samarkand, Republic of Uzbekistan.
The GEF Assembly serves as the highest governing body of the world’s largest multilateral trust fund for environmental action, convening every four years to review policies, replenish resources, and set strategic directions for addressing global environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, and pollution.
This marks the first time that the GEF Assembly has taken place in the ECO region – a significant milestone for regional environmental diplomacy and a testament to Uzbekistan’s growing leadership in this field.
The Secretary‑General joined heads of delegations, international organizations, and environmental leaders from around the world at the ceremony. ECO’s engagement with the GEF Assembly reflects the Organization’s commitment to strengthening regional environmental action and leveraging international financial mechanisms to support the implementation of the newly adopted ECO Cooperation Framework on the Environment (2026-2030).
