Discovered in December 2019, the COVID-19 spread across the globe like a wildfire. Declared as the most contagious disease, the regional and global application of post-pandemic health protocols and advisories, as well as the subsequent measures undertaken to contain and limit further communication of the virus, including travel restrictions, lockdowns, social distancing, closure of national borders, etc. appeared to ice up almost every field of human activities.
Though the recovery process continues, the years 2020 and 2021 witnessed peak of the pandemic and exhaustive economic contraction throughout the world. As one of the first regions to be affected by the outbreak, the ECO stood prepared for the prospects of an economic slowdown bearing in mind the domestic containment measures and global disruption to trade, tourism and production.
Several immediate steps were taken by the Organization to address the pandemic-related issues and normalize socioeconomic activities in the region, including the release of a concise preliminary assessment about the possible impact of pandemic on regional economies, as well as the issuance of ECO Practical Guidelines on Cross Border Facilitation Measures under conditions of COVID-19 to facilitate an unhindered passage of essential goods across the ECO border points. Such actions were primarily aimed at ensuring coordination amongst the ECO Member States and providing urgent guidelines for intraregional facilitation during the time of crisis.
ECO Secretariat
Member States and Affiliated bodies
International Organizations
