Tehran, 23 July 2025
At the invitation of the Asian Mayors Forum (AMF), the ECO Secretary General Dr. Asad M. Khan led a senior delegation for an official visit to the AMF Secretariat. The visit marked an important step toward fostering closer institutional collaboration between the two regional organizations.
During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on enhancing cooperation among municipalities across ECO member states, while Dr. Khan highlighted the significance of sharing best practices in sustainable urban development, particularly in the context of the outcomes of the 17th ECO Summit recently held in Azerbaijan, on July 3-4, 2025. He also emphasized the vital role of youth and women in shaping the future direction of ECO’s urban and regional initiatives.
Mr. Gholamzadeh extended a warm welcome to the ECO delegation and provided an overview of the AMF’s structure, strategic vision, and its expanded focus on economic cooperation among cities, including advancements in municipal services and infrastructure. He acknowledged the growing convergence between AMF and ECO priorities and reaffirmed AMF’s commitment to deepening collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to co-host the First Sustainable Cities Forum presenting a valuable platform for dialogue and partnership on sustainable urban development to be held on the margins of the upcoming AMF General Assembly in Tehran later in 2025. Both sides agreed to convene technical sessions in the coming weeks to finalize the Forum’s agenda and thematic focus.
This high-level engagement reflects the shared commitment of ECO and AMF to advancing inclusive, resilient, and forward-looking urban policies across the region.
