The two-day meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) began in Islamabad on Sunday with a gathering of senior officials from member states, as Pakistan prepares to advance regional connectivity, economic integration and sustainable development during its 2026–2027 chairmanship.
A Pakistani Foreign Ministry official confirmed to Anadolu that preliminary discussions had commenced ahead of the main session of the 30th ECO Council of Ministers Meeting, scheduled for Monday.
The gathering brings together foreign ministers and heads of delegations from the organisation’s 10 member states, alongside representatives of the ECO Secretariat and its subsidiary bodies.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is chairing the meeting, which is being held under the theme “Reviving Regionalism for a Resilient ECO.”
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Pakistan intends to use its chairmanship to strengthen regional connectivity, deepen economic integration and encourage closer cooperation among member countries.
The government said its priorities would include promoting regional partnerships, sustainable development and collective efforts to build a more prosperous and resilient economic community.
The meeting is also expected to provide an opportunity to revitalise the ECO’s role as a platform for regional dialogue, economic collaboration and cooperation among participating countries.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry emphasised that stronger regional partnerships could help unlock the substantial economic potential of the ECO region and deliver practical benefits to its population.
“These efforts will contribute towards unlocking the region’s considerable economic potential and ensuring that the benefits of regional cooperation are translated into tangible improvements in the lives of the people of ECO Member States,” the statement said.
Established in 1985 by Pakistan, Türkiye and Iran, the ECO expanded in 1992 with the admission of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
The organisation now comprises 10 member states with a combined nominal gross domestic product of approximately $3 trillion, representing considerable potential for trade, investment and economic cooperation.
Despite their geographic proximity and shared economic interests, the member countries continue to pursue closer integration through regional initiatives and institutional cooperation.
The Islamabad meeting is intended to provide renewed momentum to these efforts, particularly through initiatives aimed at improving connectivity and strengthening economic partnerships.
Türkiye is represented by a delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kulaklikaya.
Tahsin Ertugruloglu, foreign minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), also arrived in Islamabad on Saturday to attend the gathering.
The main ministerial session on Monday will bring together participating delegations to discuss the organisation’s priorities and future direction under Pakistan’s chairmanship.
Islamabad has expressed its intention to make the ECO a more effective mechanism for regional cooperation, with an emphasis on translating shared economic objectives into tangible improvements in the lives of people across member states.