Pakistan finalises peparations for key ECO regional meeting

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has reviewed arrangements for the upcoming Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Council of Ministers Meeting scheduled to take place in Islamabad on November 15 and 16.

Dar chaired a meeting on Friday to assess preparations for the regional gathering which is expected to bring delegations from ECO member countries to Pakistan for discussions on strengthening economic ties and regional cooperation.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Dar expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far and instructed relevant departments to maintain close coordination to ensure the successful organisation of the meeting.

He also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the objectives of the ECO and welcomed the opportunity to host participating delegations for productive discussions aimed at expanding regional collaboration.

Senior Foreign Office officials attended the preparatory meeting, the ministry said in a statement shared on X.

Pakistan has been actively engaging with ECO member states to promote economic integration and regional connectivity. In September Dar chaired the organisation’s 27th Informal Meeting on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly session in New York.

During that meeting, he called on member countries to utilise their collective potential to promote peace, resilience and shared prosperity across a region home to nearly half a billion people.

Dar also thanked member states for expressing confidence in Pakistan and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to advancing the organisation’s agenda.

Outlining Pakistan’s priorities under its ECO chairmanship he highlighted the need to expand trade among member countries, improve economic integration and strengthen transport and transit links connecting Central Asia with the Arabian Sea.

Other priorities include developing a digitally enabled ECO Free Trade Area and increasing regional cooperation on climate resilience.

Pakistan has expressed its desire to work closely with all member states to turn the organisation’s shared objectives into practical outcomes particularly in trade connectivity and economic development.