ECO’s 10-Year Vision Plan Nears Finalization, Aims for Enhanced Economic Cooperation
According to the Economic Desk of Webangah News Agency, the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is close to finalizing its 10-year vision plan, according to Iranian officials.
Behzad Azarsa, head of the ECO and Multilateral Economic Organizations Department of Iran’s Foreign Ministry, told Webangah that the ECO vision encompasses diverse areas of cooperation, primarily focusing on economic subjects. Azarsa noted that the plan acknowledges political shifts impacting bilateral, multilateral, and regional relations among member states.
The ECO’s 10-year vision serves as a long-term strategic program crafted by the organization, which includes Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The document outlines patterns for economic, trade, and regional collaborations for the next decade, with the goal of enhancing economic integration, trade expansion, and utilizing shared capacities among its members. The new version of this document is slated for the years 2026 to 2035.
Iran’s Foreign Minister previously emphasized the necessity of updating the document to reflect global developments, calling for “paradigm shifts and structural redesign” during an ECO Council of Ministers meeting.
Azarsa highlighted ECO’s significance as a symbol of multilateralism, which is increasingly emphasized by numerous countries globally. He noted that the added value derived from multilateral relations complements bilateral ties effectively.
Azarsa pointed out that Iran is surrounded by approximately 15 neighboring countries, with a substantial number engaged in cooperation through the ECO framework.
He further stated that Iran has leveraged the ECO to broaden relations with its neighboring countries, identifying and investing in crucial links to foster stronger connections. This includes focusing on corridors, regional connectivity via air, land, and rail routes, and developments in the Caspian Sea region.
Azarsa expressed optimism that the 10-year ECO vision plan will be finalized within the next six months.
