The 13th summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member countries will be held in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad from 26 to 28 Feb this year.
‘Connectivity for Regional Prosperity’ is the theme for the upcoming summit that may decide on ECO’s vision 2025; including the core principles of development, sustainability and regional integration.
The ECO countries in the summit are expected to hold talks with the host country on joining the China initiated multi-billion project - China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The cooperation areas earmarked for the summit consist of trade, transport & connectivity, energy, tourism, economic growth & productivity, social welfare and environment.
Presidents of Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan; Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Foreign Minister Afghanistan are expected to attend the summit.
ECO was founded in 1985 in Tehran by the leaders of Iran, Pakistan and Turkey with an objective is to establish a single market for goods and services, much like the European Union. ECO’s secretariat and cultural department are located in Tehran, its economic bureau is in Turkey and its scientific bureau is situated in Pakistan.
