Prioritizing Trade Barrier Elimination during ECO Chairmanship is a key focus for Astana.

ASTANA'S ROADMAP FOR ECO: KICKSTARTING REGIONAL GROWTH

In its tenure as the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) chair, Astana's prime agenda revolves around eradicating trade barriers, bolstering logistics connectivity, and fostering digital platforms to bolster economic integration within the region. This was outlined by Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of Staff of the Kazakh Government, Galymzhan Koishybayev, at the first ECO Ministerial Forum on Sustainable Development in Arkadag, Turkmenistan, held on April 27-29.

Koishybayev underscored Kazakhstan's dedication to aligning regional standards and driving digital transformation to bolster economic ties. During a tete-a-tete with Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People's Council) of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Kazakhstan presented its vision for a green corridor to initiate joint ventures spanning industries, energy, transport and logistics, agriculture, and other spheres.

The cooperation in the gas industry was pinpointed as a robust foundation for solidifying bilateral economic camaraderie. Meeting with Iran's Vice President, Hamid Pourmohammadi, saw both parties acknowledge the rapid pace of bilateral discussions at all levels, the vigor of multilateral interactions, and the massive potential for trade and economic synchronization.

The seminar convened ministers, ECO member state senior officials, international organization reps, civil society voices, academia, and private sector leaders.

Laid the groundwork in 1985, the ECO consortium comprises ten nations: Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan.

Breaking Down Barriers and Bridging the Gap

Empowering economic collaboration between the member states is a primary focus through initiatives such as:

Overhauling Transport and Transit Structure: Astana aims to upgrade regional transport and transit mechanisms to propel trade and economic unity. This entails the development of strategic transport corridors for increased commercial intercourse[1].
Food Security and the Digital Leap: Food security and technological advancement across sectors, including economy and governance, are other top priorities of Astana's ECO chairmanship[1].
Engaging in Sustainable Development: Kazakhstan pledges to work alongside other member states like Turkmenistan to address shared challenges—climate change, energy security, and gender equality—by pooling collective resources and expertise[1].

Shared Dreams and Collaborative Projects

Turkmenistan

Astana and Turkmenistan are concertedly striving for regional development and the realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Collaborative efforts from the UN Country Team in Turkmenistan facilitate these initiatives[1].

Iran

History shows that Iran has been a key partner within ECO, with member nations frequently collaborating on regional infrastructure developments and transport corridors vital for economic development and trade enhancement in the Central Asian and Eastern European regions[3].

New Beginnings with a Sustainable Future

The vision for future joint projects is centered around:

Transport Networks Redesign: The revamping of transport networks aims to reinforce regional connectivity and boost trade facilitation[3].
Greenshooting Infrastructure: Harmonious infrastructure development, incorporating green energy transition, aligns with regional strategies and global initiatives, such as the SDGs[2][5].
International Assistance and Collaboration: Global organizations, including the UN, provide vital support for achieving the SDGs through technical assistance and conjoined efforts[1].

In essence, Astana's ECO chairmanship prioritizes sustainable development, strengthening transport connections, and regional cooperation to foster a thriving and interconnected community of ECO member states. While Iran-specific projects during Astana's chairmanship aren't elaborated, the spirit of collaboration in ECO indicates that all member states work in harmony to improve regional infrastructure and progress toward the shared objectives of the SDGs.

In line with Astana's ECO chairmanship, Kazakhstan will work towards redesigning transport networks in cooperation with other member states, such as Iran, to increase regional connectivity and trade facilitation, echoing the vision for a green corridor highlighted by Galymzhan Koishybayev.
Recognizing the robust foundation forged in the gas industry, Kazakhstan and Iran will seek further collaboration in sustainability, aligning their efforts with global initiatives like the SDGs, to address common challenges such as climate change, energy security, and gender equality.
Kazakhstan, amidst its tenure as ECO chair, will also focus on engaging in sustainable development by investing in eco-friendly infrastructure while driving digital transformation in the finance and business sectors, further bolstering economic integration within the ECO region.