ECO Chronicle.Iamsurethatourreaderswillverymuch Ministers, Forhiskindcontributiontothisissueofthe Zarif, Thehonorablechairmanof21stcouncil Menting Mechanisms

ECI outgoing President presented the Gift of “Common Heritage of the ECO Region” to ECO Secretary General ed byDr. Zarifinhisarticle. benefit fromvisionaryapproachandnobleideaspresent- ECO Chronicle.Iamsurethatourreaderswillverymuch Ministers, forhiskindcontributiontothisissueofthe Zarif, thehonorableChairmanof21stCouncil menting mechanisms. Organization whentheyendorsetheVision anditsimple- ings willmarkanothermilestoneinthehistoryof is whyIbelievetheupcomingSummitandCOMmeet- emerging regionalandglobalrealitieschallenges.This ECO inabetterpositiontorespondthenewand Organization intheyearstocome,envisionedput February 2017inIslamabad,willbetheroadmapfor the ECOCouncilofMinisters(COM),tobeheldon28th Vision, tobeformallyapprovedbythe22ndmeetingof extensive discussionsamongtheMemberStates.The was thedevelopmentof"ECOVision 2025"through menting globalagendainthispartoftheworld. in moreacknowledgementofECOcredibilityimple- its partnersfromwithinandoutsideUNsystem,resulted capacity buildingandassistanceprogrammes. Foreword I amverymuchhonouredandgratefultoMinisterJavad One ofthemainachievementsrealizedinthisperiod In externalrelations,ECOcontinueditsinteractionswith ferent levelsaswellmanyregional policy dialoguesondiverseissuesatdif- ly, wewereinvolvedinintra-regional range ofactivities.Within theECOfami- our Organizationhasbeeninvolvedina cidence. in Islamabad.Thisisanoteworthycoin- Summit, scheduledfor1stMarch2017 lished attheeveof13thECO Since lastissueoftheECOChronicle, This issueofECOChronicleispub- ECO Secretary General ECO Secretary Halil IbrahimAkca Ambassador

1 ECO CHRONICLE 2 ECO CHRONICLE 6-37 4-5 2-3 Agencies inIslamabad of InvestmentPromotion Countries metinTehran Administration oftheECO Representative toECO ECO Regional PlanningCouncil Official Visit toAfghanistan An "ECOCommunity" First MeetingofECOHeads Heads ofCustoms New Kyrgyz Permanent Azeri NewAmbassadortothe Secretariathosted ECO ECO Secretariatpaidan Special Contents News inECO CONTENTS Relations 38-59 Heart ofAsiaConferenceinIndia Conference inAshgabat UN SustainableTransport with Iran'sVice President Energy Consortiumsmeeting York ECO Foreign Ministers inNew ECO SecretaryGeneral sented hisCredentialstothe ECO-ECT Energy Roundtable ECO-ECT ECO Secretariatattendedthe Secretary Generalattended And more... ECO SecretaryGeneralmet ECO Public-PrivateSector Sessionof Extra-ordinary Pakistani Ambassador pre- External UN ResidentCoordinatorinT Representative ofTurkey inECO Hakan Tekin Permanent 60-65 Water CooperationMechanisms chaired aHighlevelpanelon organizations ing ofregionalandsub-regional ings inNewYork Energy Congress on theMarginsofWorld Visited theECOSecretariat And more... The ChineseThink-Tank ECO SecretaryGeneralco- ECO Secretariathostedmeet- ECO SecretaryGeneralmeet- Interview withMr. GaryLewis Interview withH.E.Mr. Riza Interviews ehran 2015 (2000-2015) 72-75 66-71 Secretariat Drug Fifteen Years ofCooperationandDevelopment On-Grid SolarPower PlantinthepremisesofECO Preparatory workfor13thECOsummit agreed bytheECOSecretariat authors arenotnecessarilythoseheld or in thispublicationprovidedbywriters/ The viewsexpressedanddatacontained Disclaimer: Situation Publications Reports Report intheECO . Region 2012- Economic CooperationOrganization In TheNameOfGod Patron &Supervision Tel Kamranieh St.,Tehran-Iran Fax P.O.Box Front Cover ECO SecretaryGeneral chronicLE No.1, GolbouAlley, Graphic Design \ http://www.eco.int Halil IbrahimAkca Published by \ (+98-21) 22831733-4 Tehran(I.R. Iran) 0939 3210716 (+98-21) 22831732 ECO Saadatmand Address 22292066 \ 14155-6176

3 ECO CHRONICLE Special

An "ECO Community" By: Mohammad Javad Zarif Iranian Foreign Minister and Chairman of 21st ECO Council of Ministers

Since 1964 when Iran, Pakistan and Turkey USD); human development index (from global created a platform for regional cooperation, the rankings of 56th to 171st), etc. Equally and so-called "Regional Cooperation for regionally important, ECO Region enjoys vast Development (RCD)" and its revival as potential for ensuring sustained economic "Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO)" in growth and sustainable development. This 1985, the Organization has come a long way by includes, among others, huge and complemen- identifying areas for regional cooperation, coor- tary markets, exquisite geographical location, dination and harmonization. The imminent globally-known transit capacities, abundant 13th ECO Summit next month in Islamabad will energy resources, and rich and knowledgeable mark the 25th anniversary of ECO enlargement human capital. to a 10-country organization, which took place However, and despite all regional cooperative in 1992 resulting in a unique regional intergov- frameworks and networks formed over the ernmental organization in this part of the world. three decades, ECO has not yet realized region- ECO Region, with a territory of 8 million al integration and institutionalization. This square kilometers and more than 450 million attests to both the imperative of continued inhabitants, is a neighboring region to Europe, intra-regional cooperation and interactions, and China, Russia and Persian Gulf region, embrac- to the need for a carefully designed architecture ing countries from South and West Asia as well for regional integration. The envisaged architec- as Caucasus and Central Asia. The membership ture shall be based on an optimal development is diversified in terms of population and size of paradigm supported by tailor-made economic markets (ranging from countries with less than 6 growth models for our Region. million to more than 200 million peoples); size of economy (from less than 0.05% to more than Enhanced integration through regionalism is 45% regional GDP share); GDP per capita believed to offer, among its other benefits, a (from less than 700 USD to more than 12000 plausible path towards development, peace CHRONICLE ECO 4 Special

and stability in the regions. This is against the fact ECO offers practical experiences and empirical evi- that "regionalism" does not imply that a single recipe dence to be used in making any shifts in paradigm can be pursued in all regions. Regional structures and reforms as required for the new architecture. and architecture need to be designed to project for, Due consideration shall also be given to the global and ensure, increased economic integration and trending issues of direct and indirect bearing on our enhanced political and security relations among the region, including the UN post 2015 development Member States, building a regional identity, hence a agenda and climate change mitigation and adapta- prospective "ECO Community". tion arrangements.

In the 21st meeting of the ECO Council of Given the multi-dimensional nature of the envis- Ministers in November 2013 in Tehran, when I aged architecture and the multi-speed follow-up assumed the ECO chairmanship, I stated that ECO is mechanisms it may require, we have to ensure that the first best option for our countries' collective first, all ECO Member States are involved actively attempts for economic growth and sustainable and responsively; and second, the current reform development. This is, by far, still the case despite the exercise in the ECO is not left to diplomats only, fact that three decades of regional cooperation with- rather to engage economists and development in ECO's schemes has demonstrated structural limi- scholars and practitioners as well. I will discuss with tations and institutional inertia stunting genuine my fellow Foreign Ministers the ECO future regionalism. While ECO continues to retain its criti- prospects when we meet in Islamabad prior to the cal advantages over similar regional arrangements at upcoming Summit, where we will also decide on the hand, reforms are needed to re-confirm that ECO's new ECO Vision 2025. benefits for Member States are incomparably supe- rior to those offered by other competing regional The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue its arrangements. The complementary nature of the unwavering support to the ECO in the years to ECO contributions to the national policies and come, as has been the case since Organization's measures should be strongly felt by our individual inception. In the 25th anniversary of ECO enlarge- Member States enhancing a broader sense of own- ment, I would like to pay homage to the late ership among the membership. President Rafsanjani, the Chairman of the first ECO Summit, and recall his remarks in the Summit upon The ongoing reform process in the ECO, as man- the accession of the new members to ECO in 1992, dated by 21st Council of Ministers meeting, is an where he expressed confidence that ECO's expan- opportunity to forge a broad-based consensus on a sion would further strengthen the Organization pro- new architecture for cooperation in the ECO in a vided that the extensive collaboration of all region- way that would improve, inter alia, the prospects for al countries and mobilization of all regional long-term growth and prosperity for ECO countries resources were warranted. This contention holds and Region as a whole. Three-decade evolution of true in today's context. CHRONICLE ECO 5 News in ECO

ECO Secretariat paid an Official Visit to Afghanistan

ECO ECO Secretary General, Mr. 2025 and ECO Special Conference on CHRONICLE Halil Ibrahim Akca and his Afghanistan. He also highlighted the impor- delegation visited Kabul from 6 to 7 tance of Afghanistan for ECO and sought guid- September 2016, in response to invitation ance from the President on ECO and its made by the honourable Minister of Economy prospects for the future. of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Mr. President Ashraf Ghani highlighted the Abdul Sattar Murad. During the visit, Secretary importance of regional cooperation for this General and his delegation had bilateral talks region and referred to some development- with high level Afghan authorities on the ECO- related initiatives in Afghanistan in the areas of Afghanistan relationship as well as ongoing connectivity within the country and with the agendas and activities of the Organization. neighbouring countries, electricity, agriculture, H.E. President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani etc. received the ECO delegation headed by the The President also gave some guidelines for Secretary General on 7 September 2016. ECO Vision for the future, including in the Secretary General briefed President on the areas of trade, transport, energy and tourism. state of affairs of ECO, including the two He further highlighted on the needs for upcoming important meetings in Kabul, name- gap/complementary analysis for ECO. ly, ECO Ministerial Meeting on ECO Vision The President also emphasized on the need CHRONICLE ECO 6 News in ECO

for further cooperation within ECO in areas Secretary General and his delegation also such as water management and air connectivi- held a working meeting with the Deputies ty. Minister of Economy, Public Health, Education, The Secretary General was also received by Transport and Commerce and Industries where Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the Chief Executive of the latest developments of the projects under the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan who under- the ECO Special Fund for Reconstruction of scored that Afghanistan has given importance Afghanistan were reviewed. to ECO from the early days of its membership. At the end of the visit, the ECO Secretary He emphasized that ECO should work in the General met with Mr. Salahuddin Rabbani, the areas of common interests of the Member honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of the States. Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and discussed He also requested update on the ECO coun- the areas of common interests, including the tries' cooperation upcoming minis- on tariff reductions. terial meetings in Secretary General Kabul and the in return briefed Extraordinary ses- the Chief Executive sion of the ECO on the state of Council of affairs of ECO, Ministers in New including the trade York. and tariff arrange- In two formal ments within dinner receptions ECOTA context and hosted by the informed him on Minister of the upcoming Economy and important events in Minister of Kabul on ECO new Foreign Affairs of Vision and ECO Afghanistan, ECO Special Conference Secretary General on Afghanistan also held discus- In a Meeting with sions with Mr. Mr. Abdul Sattar Eklil Ahmad Murad, the honourable Minister of Economy of Hakimi, the honourable Minister of Finance, Afghanistan, both sides reviewed the prepara- and Mr. Humayoon Rasaw, the honourable tory process for the two upcoming ECO minis- Minister of Commerce and Industries of terial events, namely, the "Ministerial Meeting Afghanistan as well as with some Ambassadors on ECO Vision 2025" and the "ECO Special of the ECO Member States in Kabul. Conference on Afghanistan". CHRONICLE ECO 7 News in ECO

Uzbekistan. Representatives of the Turkish Cypriot State and the Cooperation Council of Turkic ECO The Twenty- Speaking States in their capacities agencies, regional institutions and CHRONICLE Seventh Meeting as observers, and officials and rep- affiliated bodies also participated of the Regional Planning Council resentatives of ECO specialized in the Meeting. (RPC) of the Economic In the opening session, Cooperation Organization held in the Tehran Espinas (ECO) was held on 5-8 Palace Hotel, the ECO December 2016 at the ECO Secretary General H.E. Secretariat in Tehran. Ambassador Halil Ibrahim The Meeting was attended Akça welcomed the partici- by the delegations from all pating delegations and pre- Member States, namely, the sented a comprehensive Islamic Republic of overview of the main activi- Afghanistan, Republic of ties of the Organization dur- Azerbaijan, the Islamic ing 2016. He further inform Republic of Iran, Republic of the participants of the Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, prospects for ECO in the the Islamic Republic of future, including the emerg- Pakistan, Republic of ing ECO Vision 2025. The Tajikistan, Republic of Turkey, Meeting was inaugurated by Turkmenistan and Republic of His Excellency Dr. Nasrollah ECO Secretariat hosted Regional Planning Council CHRONICLE ECO 8 News in ECO

Jahangard, Head of Information plenary session, the heads of dele- grammes/calendar of events for Technology Organization of Iran, gation (Member States, observers 2017. who welcomed the distinguished and affiliated bodies) made state- On the sidelines of the RPC delegates and shared his views on ments on their relevant activities Meeting, the ECO Secretary ECO performance in the last year and policies. General convened an special ses- and the projection for years to In the sectoral committees, sion on ECO Vision 2025 where come. He further proposed ideas namely, Trade and Investment; RPC heads of delegation as well for specific regional cooperation in Transport and Communications; as resident ambassadors and rep- information and communication Energy, Minerals and resentatives of the Member States

technology, particularly the appli- Environment; Agriculture, Industry reflected on the draft ECO Vision cation of the Spatial Data and Tourism; Projects, Economic 2025. The final draft of the Vision Infrastructure (SDI) in the ECO Research and Statistics; Human will be submitted to the upcom- Region. Resources and Sustainable ing ECO COM/Summit meetings Ambassador Majid Bizmark from Developments; Drugs and in Islamabad. the Islamic Republic of Iran Organized Crime; and External At the end of 4- day hard work, chaired the 27th RPC Meeting. Relations and Affiliated Bodies, the participating delegations Individual officials from interested Member States deliberated on the attended a cultural event, organ- Member States also chaired 8 RPC areas of activities in 2017 and ized by the ECO Cultural sectoral committees. In the first developed sectoral work pro- Institute. CHRONICLE ECO 9 News in ECO

Premises of the Central Secretariat of ECO- RISCAM was formally inaugurated

ECO The opening ceremony Foreign Minister of Iran and H.E. CHRONICLE of the premises of the Ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca, ECO Central Secretariat of ECO-RISCAM (ECO Secretary General. Regional Institute for Standardization, During his inaugural statement, ECO Conformity Assessment, Accreditation and Secretary General highlighted the activi- Metrology) and its Technical Management ties of the Secretariat for preparation of Board of Conformity Assessment was held the groundwork for operationalization of on 14 December 2016. High ranking offi- the ECO-RISCAM. He also seized the cials from host country and ECO opportunity to request remaining Secretariat as well as ambassadors and Member States to sign and ratify the representatives of the Member States par- Statute of ECO-RISCAM which will great- ticipated in the ceremony. ly help early activation of the Institute. The programme was hosted by H.E. Dr. After the statements, the participants Nayereh Pirouzbakht, Head of National attended a formal lunch hosted by Dr. Standard Organization of Iran. The event Pirouzbakht. The second part of the pro- was jointly opened by statements made gramme was the ribbon-cutting ceremony by H.E. Dr. Abbas Araqhchi, Deputy at the RISCAM premises, attended by the high level officials of the host country, some Member States and ECO Secretariat. Further to note that the Institute and its Technical Management Boards will, among others, promote the development of quality infrastructure and help remove the technical barriers to trade by harmonization of standards, as well as accreditation, conformity assessment and metrology practices through cooperation with national bodies and international organizations. The ECO-RISCAM will be affiliated to ECO as one of its regional institutions. CHRONICLE ECO 10 News in ECO

ECO actively contribute to CHRONICLE Azeri ECO agenda and con- Newly appointed tinue to expand rela- Ambassador of New Ambassador tions with the ECO Republic of Azerbaijan Secretariat. to the Islamic Republic Both sides also of Iran H.E. Mr. Bunyad to the ECO exchanged views on the Huseynov met with the state of affairs of ECO, ECO Secretary General enhanced during his tenure. priority areas of Organization and H.E. Mr. Halil Ibrahim Akca and Ambassador Huseynov in return enhancement of the ECO's role in presented his credentials as the expressed his commitment to the Region. Permanent Representative of Republic of Azerbaijan in ECO. During the meeting, took place on 28 September 2016, the Secretary General expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Huseynov for Republic of Azerbaijan's active and important role in ECO and extended his sincere hope that cooperative relations between ECO Secretariat and the Embassy will be further New Kyrgyz Permanent Representative to ECO

ECO H.E. Mr. Avazbek Abdurazakov, ment and wished him a successful tenure. Secretary CHRONICLE the newly appointed Ambassador General also highlighted that Kyrgyz Republic is an of Kyrgyz Republic to the Islamic Republic of Iran, important member of the ECO and has always paid a visit to the ECO Secretariat on 16th January played an active and constructive role on all ECO 2017 and met with the ECO Secretary General, H.E. platforms. He ensured Ambassador of his full sup- Mr. Halil Ibrahim Akca and presented his credentials port. to the Secretary General as the Permanent During the meeting, the two sides discussed a Representative of Kyrgyz Republic to the Economic number of issues of interest to Kyrgyz Republic and Cooperation Organization. The Secretary General exchanged views on how to enhance the ECO's role congratulated the Ambassador on his new assign- in the near future. CHRONICLE ECO 11 News in ECO

Heads of Customs Administration of the ECO Countries met in Tehran

ECO The "7th Meeting of the ECO Member States have a high capacity to CHRONICLE Council of ECO Heads of improve trade ties among themselves through Customs Administration (CHCA)" was held on improving infrastructure in transportation, easing 19 October 2016 in Tehran. It was preceded by customs regulations and making their domestic the 3rd Meeting of the Sub-Committee of the regulations transparent. He expressed hope that Customs Experts (SCOEs) on 17-18 October the preparation of a new ECO Vision for the 2016. High level delegations from nine Member period 2016-2025 would ease reaching the States, namely, Afghanistan, Republic of Organization's targets. H.E. Ambassador Halil Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Ibrahim Akça, the ECO Secretary General in his Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan, as inaugural statement, while welcoming the dele- well as delegations from the International Road gates highlighted the importance and the need Union (IRU) and ECO Secretariat participated in for regional cooperation in the field of customs. these important event. He deeply appreciated the Government of the The Council Meeting was inaugurated by H.E. Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly Iran IRICA Dr. Ali Tayyebnia, Minister of Economic Affairs for their sincere efforts for holding this vital and Finance of the Islamic Republic of Iran who meeting to revive cooperation among ECO underscored that due to geographical contiguity, Member States and to strengthen their commit- CHRONICLE ECO 12 News in ECO ment for more integra- Cooperation with the tion in the ECO Region. international organiza- H.E. Sergio Mujica, tions especially with the Deputy Director WCO, WTO, IRU, etc., General of World was appreciated in Customs Organization modernization of the (WCO) delivered a border control systems comprehensive and and prevention of con- insightful statement traband trade/smuggling. highlighting the objec- The delegates also high- tives, working and lighted the significance modes of customs facili- of two agreements tation. He urged the which are considered Member States to avail pivotal for increasing the system developed cooperation to curb by WCO and enhance smuggling in the ECO trade through standard- Region. The participants ization, harmonization expressed their desire to and modernization. Mr. Kazem Asayesh, Senior move forward for establishing Electronic Data Advisor on TIR and Trade Facilitation of IRU, Interchange (EDI) mechanisms among the ECO also made remarks in the opening session and Member States. They emphasized on the need underscored the benefits of e-TIR especially for for both bilateral and multilateral EDI arrange- the landlocked states of the ECO Region. ments within the ECO Countries. They also The Heads of Delegation of nine Member underlined that training courses for customs offi- States in their statements emphasized on the cials of the ECO Member States are imperative need of customs cooperation, especially in the for enhancing capacity of the national institu- field of simplification/harmonization of customs tions and officials performing such duties. Some procedures, digitization of documentation and Member States indicated that their countries trade facilitative measures for boosting intra- have experience of holding trainings for the cus- regional trade. They shared their experiences, toms officials. especially the measures taken in the recent The Meeting also deliberated on the Report years for creating favorable conditions required adopted by the Sub-Committee of the Customs for expansion in volume of trade. The signifi- Experts (SCOEs) which included two important cance of TIR was underscored for efficient han- agreements, namely, "The Agreement on dling of exports and imports of goods among Establishment and Operations of ECO the Member States. The Member States further Smuggling and Customs Offences Data Bank" highlighted legal frameworks/arrangements, and "The Agreement on Mutual Administrative institutional reforms in the area of customs, Assistance in Customs Matters". The 8th meet- capacity building initiatives that they have ing of Council of Heads of Customs undertaken with the aim to meet the challenges Administration (CHCA) will be held in Pakistan being faced in the changed global scenario. in 2017. CHRONICLE ECO 13 News in ECO

ECO ECO On the December 2016). CHRONICLE sidelines Member It was acknowledged by of the Conference of the the Meeting that the ECO Parties of the UN Work Plan 2016-2020 is Convention on Biological in line with the long-term Diversity in Cancun, States strategies, programmes Mexico (UNCBD COP13), and priorities of the UN an ECO coordination Convention on Biological meeting was organized on discussed Diversity (UNCBD). 12th December 2016 During the Meeting, CBD with the participation of Secretariat expressed representatives of ECO biodiversity readiness to cooperate Member States, namely, with ECO in implementa- Republic of Azerbaijan, tion of the Work Plan Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, in Cancun through knowledge-shar- Turkey and Turkmenistan, ing and capacity building as well as President of the ECO programmes. Institute for Environmental It is to be recalled that biodi- Science and Technology (ECO- versity officials/experts from ECO IEST) and officials from Member States in their meetings Secretariat of the UN during the "ECO Biodiversity Convention on Biological Week in Antalya" (March 2016), Diversity (CBD). ECO had agreed to meet on the side- Directorate for Energy, Minerals lines of the COP13 to better and Environment organized the grasp spirit of cooperation and Meeting. opportunities exist in interna- The Meeting, themed as "ECO tional community for the inter- contribution to the CBD ests of the ECO Member States. Agenda: Implementation of the Representative of Republic of Work Plan on Biodiversity in the biodiversity. They exchanged Turkey, the ECO leading country ECO Region 2016-2020" views on the priorities for for Biodiversity Work Plan, reviewed the Biodiversity situa- actions within the context of the informed the Meeting that his tion in the ECO Region and dis- Work Plan, taking into account country will host the next ECO cussed the ongoing implementa- the recent mandates given by meeting on Work Plan by tion of the ECO Work Plan on 27th RPC Meeting (Tehran, 5-8 September 2017. CHRONICLE ECO 14 News in ECO

First Meeting of ECO Heads of Investment Promotion Agencies in Islamabad

ECO The First Meeting of ECO and while welcoming the delegates, he CHRONICLE Heads of Investment highlighted the importance of ECO initia- Promotion Agencies (ECO-IPA) was held on tives, activities and projects for strengthen- December 26, 2016 in Islamabad, the ing investment cooperation within the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The represen- region. tatives of the Islamic Republic of During the Meeting, the Heads of Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Delegation of the Member States delivered Repblic of Azerbaijan, the Islamic Republic their respective country statements on the of Pakistan, Republic of Turkey and the ECO initiatives for strengthening investment in Secretariat participated in the Meeting. their countries. H.E. Mr. Azher Ali Choudhry, Secretary of The participants discussed the progress on the Board of Investment of Pakistan inaugu- various ECO inititiatives for investment rated the meeting. In his inaugural speech, including the ECO Agreement on Promotion and Protection of Investment (APPI), and emphasized the importance of its early rati- fication. The Meeting further deliberated and agreed on the ways and means of strengthening investment cooperation in the ECO Region; developing a roadmap for investment related component of the Multi- Dimensional Regional Trade and Investment Strategy Procedures; and harmonization of procedure and requirements to accelerate Portfolio and Foreign Direct Investment in Member States. The Meeting also discussed the importance of capacity building of the officials of The Investment Promotion Agencies. The Meeting decided to designate National Focal Points (NFP) for investment related issues. It was also decided to change the title of the Meeting to "ECO Investment Promotion Agencies (ECO-IPAs) Forum". CHRONICLE ECO 15 News in ECO ECO Workshop on Ferrous & Base Metal Minerals in Karaj-Iran in his briefing gave an overview on huge deposits of mining in Iran and IMPRC's crucial role in successful mining processing industry and research. In his opening remarks, Mr. Fuad Farzalibayov, ECO Director for EME, while appreciating the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly IMPRC for consecutively hosting the 3rd ECO Workshop on Ferrous & Base Metal Mineral Processing, briefed the Meeting about ECO`s overall profile and policy priorities concerning the minerals, recent progress made, activities carried out and future plans by ECO Secretariat in collaboration with Member States in this important sphere. During the 2-day intensive sessions, the speakers from public and private companies, organizations and academia made presentations on different segments of minerals, inter alia, using technologies and new equipments in mineral processing, flotation of The 3rd ECO associated feldspar minerals from various sources and their sepa- ECO CHRONICLE Workshop on Ferrous & ration mechanisms, gold processing solutions, titanomagnetic pro- Base Metal Mineral cessing, environmental application in mineral processing, nano- Processing and the 1st International bubbles application in flotation of fine particles, pyrometallurgy Mineral Processing Activists Symposium, tests in mineral processing, integrated process simulation, future hosted by the Iran Minerals Processing of modeling in mineral processing, iron ore processing, role of Research Center (IMPRC) were held on analysis in mineral processing, visualization of element zoning in 25-26 October 2016 in Karaj, Iran. The mineral using BSE images and X-rays mapping by EPMA, tailings events were attended by the ECO filtration solutions, flotation mechanisms of morphologically differ- Member States, including the Islamic ent mineral particles, and removing impurities from iron ore Republic of Afghanistan, Republic of through methods and industrial cases. Azerbaijan, the Islamic Republic of Iran On 26 October, the participants visited various laboratories for (host), Kyrgyz Republic, the Islamic mineral processing, including environment and chemistry labs Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Tajikistan and got acquainted with various facilities and capacities of the and the ECO Secretariat. Public and pri- IMPRC. At the end of the Workshop and Symposium, the partici- vate experts from Iran, Turkey, Finland, pants from ECO Member States and ECO Secretariat were Australia, Canada, China, South Africa and awarded with "Certificate of Participation". Germany also participated in the events. H.E. Dr. Mahdi Karbasian, Deputy Minister and the Chairman of the Board of Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO), while inaugurating the symposium and workshop, warmly welcomed all participants and underlined the extensive role of mining sector in the world economy adding that economies of most of the world countries are totally dependent on optimizing mining industry and resources through research and innovative technologies for extraction of raw materials and metals. The Deputy Minister CHRONICLE ECO 16 News in ECO

ECO

regional synergy to harness maximum benefits from Minerals complementarities and commonalities for proper utilization of mineral resources in the ECO Region. During the active deliberation session, the dele- Experts in gates also discussed in length different areas of cooperation in the field of minerals in the ECO Region and put forward key outcome recommen- Sungun Mine dations and proposals for future actions, inter alia, Assessment of Sedimentary Copper Ore Deposits in the ECO Region; Regional Cooperation on Spiral Complex in Tectonic; Identification of Geological Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Diseases Incidence in ECO Member States; Preparation of Geodynamic and present-day Tabriz Crustal Stress Map of the ECO Member States; and proposal on tectonic map and mineralogical map between Republic of Azerbaijan and Iran with possible participation of other ECO Member States to meet the existing border gaps among the geographical countries. In this backdrop, the Meeting called upon concerned Member States to provide with comprehensive Concept Papers on earlier and new proposals to ECO Secretariat by end of February 2017 for further circulation among the ECO Member States with a view to embarking on the proposed feasible projects. The Meeting also received information on the ECO-SHARP Project which had been discussed in the Workshop preceding the 6th Expert Meeting on ECO The 6th ECO Minerals Experts 15-16 October 2016. CHRONICLE Group Meeting, hosted by the On 18 October, participants visited to Sungun Geological Survey of Iran (GSI), was held on 17-18 Copper Mine, where they got opportunity to see October 2016 in Sungun Mine Complex in the main facilities, infrastructure and operating Varzeghan Area, Tabriz - East Azerbaijan Province, capacities, and learned how technologies are Iran. The Meeting was actively participated by the employed in various applications. They expressed delegations from Afghanistan, Republic of key interest for future synergic cooperation among Azerbaijan, Iran (host), Pakistan and Tajikistan, as ECO Member States in copper mine segment as well as the ECO Secretariat. The Meeting was joint- well. ly inaugurated by Dr. Mohammad Faridi, Director of the Northwestern Regional Office (Tabriz Centre) of GSI and Mr. Fuad Farzalibayov, ECO Director for Energy, Minerals & Environment (EME). During the Meeting, delegations from ECO Member States delivered their country presentations/statements highlighting national mineral policies and geological profiles, including minerals exploitation, production data and maps, metallo- genic zones, investment opportunities in mineral sector, tectonic zones, best practices, recent developments, challenges and future roadmaps in the field of minerals. They also emphasized on the collective efforts for enhancing and strengthening ECO CHRONICLE ECO 17 News in ECO ECO Transit Transport Coordination Council met in Tehran

ECO The 8th ECO Secretariat briefed the were also provided by the ECO CHRONICLE Meeting of the Meeting on the progress with Secretariat. ECO Transit Transport Coordination implementation of decisions of the The 5th Meeting of the Customs Council (TTCC), the 8th Meeting of previous Meeting of the Road Transit Committee of TTCC was the Road Committee of TTCC, and Committee and also on "ECO Visa opened by the Statement made by the 5th Meeting of the Customs Exemption Sticker Scheme", negoti- the Secretary General of ECO, in Transit Committee of TTCC were ated in a recent meeting of ECO which he welcomed all participants held on 14-16 November 2016 at Consular Officials held in the and expressed satisfaction that the the ECO Secretariat in Tehran. The Secretariat on 4th October 2016. collective efforts of ECO Member meetings were attended by the del- The Secretariat informed the States have reached fruition and egations from nine ECO Member Committee that the Consular the long awaited customs study, the States, namely, the Islamic Republic Officials meeting agreed to work missing link of the TTFA joint of Afghanistan, Republic of on the basis of the text introduced project of ECO and IDB, has been Azerbaijan, the Islamic Republic of by the Secretariat. completed. Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, The Member States informed and The Secretary General subse- Kyrgyz Republic, the Islamic reviewed progress on accession quently encouraged all delegates to Republic of Pakistan, Republic of to/implementation of the relevant brainstorm on the modality of fol- Tajikistan, Republic of Turkey and international instruments, including lowing up the results of the Study Turkmenistan. Representatives of CMR of 1956 and ADR of 1957. and providing the guidance and a IRU and ECO Secretariat also Updates on ECO's ongoing activi- mandate to the Secretariat on a attended the meetings. ties/measures with regard to estab- roadmap, including on a mecha- The Road Committee of TTCC lishing road transit corridors, nism to follow up the implementa- reviewed the implementation of notably between Islamabad-Tehran- tion of the recommendations of the decisions of its 7th Meeting Istanbul (ITI) and between Kyrgyz report. Subsequently, the represen- (Ankara, 11th November 2015) as Republic-Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Iran tative of the ECO Secretariat made well as the implementation of (KTAI) and other initiatives taken to a detailed presentation about ECO- road-related provisions of the identify major non-physical obsta- IDB Feasibility Study on Customs in TTFA. The representative of the cles, including visa related issues, which she deliberated on the CHRONICLE ECO 18 News in ECO

sources and the methodology uti- lized, customs procedures of ECO nd Member States, issues being faced, 2 Workshop on remedial measures and requirements to meet the international conventions/agreements and recommendations/Plan of Action for moderniza- ECO-SHARP tion of customs border crossing points. The Meeting Mandated the in Tabriz Secretariat to regularly assess and provide progress report to the Customs Committee of TTCC. The Meeting also reviewed the Implementation of Customs related provisions of the TTFA and considered the latest developments of the ECO Member States on accession/implementation of the related necessary conventions. The 8th Meeting of the Transit Transport Coordination Council (TTCC) considered and unanimously approved the Reports of the technical committees of the TTCC, namely, Report of the 8th Meeting of the Road Committee, Report of the 5th Meeting of the Customs Transit Committee, and ECO The 2nd Workshop on ECO Seismic Report of the 1st Senior Consular CHRONICLE Officials' Meeting on Facilitation of Hazard Reduction Programme (ECO- Visa for Drivers. The 8th TTCC SHARP) hosted by the Geological Survey of Iran (GSI) Meeting also approved the recom- was held on 15-16 October 2016 in Sungun Mine mendations and Plan of Action con- Complex in Varzeghan Area, Tabriz - East Azerbaijan tained in the feasibility Study and the Province, Iran. The participants from Afghanistan, mandate provided to the Secretariat Republic of Azerbaijan, Iran (host), Pakistan and on their follow-up. The Meeting also Tajikistan participated in the Workshop. The workshop approved the Programme of the were jointly inaugurated by Dr. Jalil Ghalamghash, TTFA Fund for 2017. Deputy Director of GSI and Mr. Fuad Farzalibayov, ECO Director for Energy, Minerals & Environment (EME). The ECO-SHARP Project team made presentations on various topics, including summary report of the ECO- SHARP Project, concept of geodatabase with an approach to the seismotectonic map of the ECO Region, active tectonics and remote sensing, seismotec- tonics of ECO Region, and final map of earthquake vul- nerability in ECO Region. During the deliberations, the participants expressed satisfaction over smooth implementation of the ECO- SHARP and the Project Manager (GSI) was requested to provide Final Report of the Project by end of January 2017, based on the overall feedbacks of Member States. Site visits were arranged for the participants to the geologic features around Tabriz, including Bilverdi Village and Ahar-Tabriz Y junction fault-lines, as well as Paleoseismological Seyyedabad Trench site on North Tabriz Fault. CHRONICLE ECO 19 News in ECO

ECO Consular ECO The identify major non- CHRONICLE First physical obstacles, ECO Senior Consular Officials including visa. A major Officials Meeting on issue on the agenda of Facilitation of Visa for discussed Visa the Meeting was "ECO Drivers was held on Visa Exemption Sticker 4th October 2016 at Scheme" which was the ECO Secretariat in Arrangements discussed in detail. The Tehran. The Meeting Scheme, already pre- was attended by dele- pared and circulated gations of 8 ECO for Drivers by ECO Secretariat, Member States, name- aims at easing up the ly, Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, with regard to establishing road visa issuance for drivers and per- Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, transit corridors, notably sons engaged in transport opera- Tajikistan, Turkey and between Islamabad-Tehran- tions. The Meeting decided to Turkmenistan. During the one Istanbul (ITI) and between accept the draft provided by the day discussion, the participating Kyrgyz Republic-Tajikistan- Secretariat as basis for further officials informed the Meeting Afghanistan-Iran (KTAI), as well consideration It was decided on their status of the as other initiatives taken to that ECO Secretariat will issuance of visa for drivers provide a modified version and persons involved in the of the draft along with an international transit, and explanatory note and will provided clarification to the expect feedbacks from the queries raised concerning Member States in three problems faced by some months. The Secretariat will Member States in visa then convene the 2nd ECO acquisition process. Senior Consular Officials The ECO Secretariat also Meeting for finalization of presented updates on ECO's the draft and starting its ongoing activities/measures implementation. CHRONICLE ECO 20 News in ECO Second International ECO-Silk Road Food Festival in Zanjan

Secretary General of also organized on the sidelines of ECO in his statement the Festival which showcased a praised the Festival and good variety of handicrafts indus- said that revival of the try. Ancient Silk Road The closing ceremony of the would contribute to the Festival was attended by local and development of tourism invited officials. Mr. Memduh industry in the ECO Unal Director for Agriculture, Region. He further Industry and Tourism of ECO also made reference to the addressed the closing ceremony ECO Vision 2025 which where participants of the Festival envisages establishment were also awarded certificates of of the ECO Region as a participation. peaceful and green Zanjan is home to Soltaniyeh tourism destination with Dome which along with Turykey's diverse products and Hagia Sophia mosque and Santa high quality services, Maria del Fiore cathedral in Italy, ECO The Second while ensuring responsible and are the largest brick structure in CHRONICLE International sustainable tourism development the world, recognized as World ECO- Silk Road Food Festival was and upgrading quality of life of Heritage Site by UNCESCO. It is a held in Zanjan (Iran) on 26-29 the people through effective complex constructed in 1302-12 September 2016, commemorating involvement of all stakeholders. AC in the city of Soltaniyeh, then the World Tourism Day. The Ambassador Akca also highlighted capital of Ilkhanid dynasty, and Second Festival, hosted by Zanjan the coincidence of this year's Food was used as a mausoleum when Provincial Cultural Heritage, Festival with the World Tourism the king Mohammad Handicrafts and Tourism Day, a real translation into action Khodabande, who ordered its Organization and organized in of the theme of this year's celebra- construction, passed away. cooperation with ECO Secretariat tions as "Tourism for All- was attended by the ECO Promoting Universal Member States and Silk Road Accessibility". members. The number of partici- During the Festival pants in this Festival has tripled held in the ancient city from five to 15 delegations since of Zanjan, various foods the first such Festival in 2015. and cuisines of the ECO The Festival was inaugurated by and Silk Road Region statements made by H.E. from Afghanistan, Ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca, Republic of Azerbaijan, Secretary General of ECO; Iran, China, Tajikistan, Deputy President of Iran Cultural Turkey, Yemen, Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Bulgaria, Iraq, Lebanon (ICHTO); and the Governor of and Palestine were Zanjan. Some Tehran based served to the visitors. ambassadors and diplomats also An exhibition of attended the opening ceremony. Iranian handicrafts was CHRONICLE ECO 21 News in ECO Experts Group Meeting on ECO Regional Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction ECO The "Experts oped in Sendai (disaster risk CHRONICLE Group reduction), Paris (climate change), Meeting for ECO Regional New York (post 2015 develop- Framework for Disaster Risk ment agenda and SDGs) and Reduction" was held on 26-28 Istanbul (humanitarian affairs). He October 2016 in ECO also highlighted the role ECO can Secretariat. It was attended by play in promoting above agenda high level officials and experts and expressed UNDP interest to from Afghanistan, Republic of revisit the ECO-UNDP existing Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan MoU and to focus more on disas- (Embassy), Kyrgyz Republic, ter-related cooperation. Pakistan, Tajikistan (Embassy) During 3 day Meeting, chaired and Turkey as well as officials by Mr. Ali Bakhtyiari from Iran from regional and international organizations, including and facilitated by Mr. Puji Pujiono, the Regional Advisor UNDP, UNESCAP, UNESCO, UNHABITAT, UNOCHA, of ESCAP, presentations were made by participants on International Institute for Earthquake Engineering and national capacities, achievements and challenges as Seismology (IIEES) and International Federation of the regard disaster risk reduction. Resource persons from Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The UNESCAP, UNESCO (through Skype), UNISDR (through Meeting was co-financed by the ECO Secretariat and Skype), IFRC and IIEES also made presentations on dif- the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). ferent aspects of an optimal ECO regional framework on At the beginning of the Meeting, ECO Secretary DRR taking into account the different platforms as well General, Ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca, made open- as contexts presented by Sendai Framework 2030. All ing remarks. He welcomed the participants to ECO and presentations stimulated interactive discussions among highlighted the importance of the Meeting for ECO the participants.The participants agreed on some priority Region. He further presented a comprehensive policy areas for regional cooperation by 2020 and elaborated picture on ECO state of affairs and the prospects for the on potential projects and programmes. They agreed to future in the context of the ECO Member States' imme- establish a task group to continue working on the draft diate needs and concerns, including the cooperation to regional framework in parallel with ongoing UN exercise reduce disaster risk in the ECO Region while taking into on developing indicators for implementation of Sendai account the global contexts such as Sendai Framework Framework. The outcome of task group work will be for DRR, SDGs and climate change agreement. discussed in the second ECO Expert Group Meeting to Mr. Gary Lewis, the UN Resident Coordinator and be hosted by Turkey in January/February 2017. Resident Representative of UNDP in Iran also made The final draft framework is expected to be endorsed opening remarks. He provided the Meeting with com- by the "8th ECO Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk prehensive picture of the UN relevant agenda devel- Reduction", scheduled for May 2017 in Turkey. CHRONICLE ECO 22 News in ECO Pakistani Ambassador presented his Credentials to the ECO Secretary General ECO, Secretary General H.E. Ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca expressed his sincere hope that relations between ECO Secretariat and Embassy will be further ECO In a meeting with the ECO enhanced during his tenure. CHRONICLE Secretary General on 1 September Ambassador Durrani in return expressed his commit- 2016, new Pakistani ambassador, H.E. Mr. Asif Durrani ment to actively contribute to ECO agenda and con- presented his credentials as the Permanent tinue to expand good relations with the ECO Representative of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Secretariat. Both sides also exchanged views on the ECO. While expressing his gratitude to Ambassador state of affairs of ECO and the important upcoming Durrani for Pakistan's active and important role in activities and events. Extra-ordinary ECO The During the Meeting, the CHRONICLE Extra- Ministers and high level ordinary Session of the Session of officials of the Member ECO Council of Ministers States discussed the dif- was held on September ferent issues of the ECO 23, 2016 in New York. ECO Foreign agenda and made some The Meeting was chaired important decisions. The by H.E. Mr. Mohammad Meeting also agreed on Javad Zarif, Foreign Ministers in the need for early organi- Minister of the Islamic zation of the next ECO Republic of Iran. Foreign New York Summit and regular Ministers/high level offi- Council of Ministers cials from the Afghanistan, Republic of Meeting. Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Turkey attended the Meeting. A delegation from Turkish Cypriot State also participated in the Meeting as observer. The Ministerial Meeting was briefed by the ECO Secretary General on the latest state of affairs of the Organization at the time when ECO is developing its new Vision for the next ten years. CHRONICLE ECO 23 News in ECO

High Level Meeting on Islamabad- Tehran-Istanbul Road Corridor in Islamabad

ECO The 4th High Level Working ECO Secretariat CHRONICLE Group Meeting on Islamabad- Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) Road Corridor was held on attended the 17- 18 August 2016 in Islamabad. The Meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Communications of the Islamic Republic of ECO Science Pakistan, was attended by the delegations from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Turkey, ECO Foundation Secretariat, Islamic Development Bank's country office and the International Road Transport Union (IRU). Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Board of Trustees Affairs, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Interior, Federal Board of Revenue, National Highway Authority, Customs ECO The Deputy Secretary General of CHRONICLE the Economic Cooperation Collectorate as well as representatives from the pri- Organization (ECO), Mr. Kanan Nazarov, represent- vate sector of Pakistan also attended the Meeting. ed the ECO Secretariat in the third meeting of the The Meeting discussed at length the technical ECO Science Foundation Board of Trustees on 18th issues pertaining to operationalization of the ITI of August 2016 in Islamabad. The Meeting was pre- Road Corridor, inter alia, measures being taken by ceded by the Executive Committee/High Level the Government of Pakistan to finalize formalities Experts Group Meeting on 17th of August 2016. to start TIR operations; facilitation of visa for pro- In his statement delivered during the Meeting, the fessional drivers; finding solutions to resolve insur- Deputy Secretary General commended the ECOSF ance issue; practical measures being taken by the President and appreciated the initiatives pursued by enroute countries with regard to security and safety the Foundation for promotion of science and tech- for drivers and trucks, etc. The Meeting agreed to nology in the ECO Region. launch a test run of trucks as soon as all formalities He mentioned that the ECOSF has achieved a with TIR are finished. The Meeting also took note number of accomplishments in the past years and of the status of the field study on ITI Road has contributed valuably to the promotion of scien- Corridor. tific cooperation in the Region. With the diversification of its activities in various areas, and development of institutional linkages with relevant regional and international organizations, ECOSF has emerged as an important body of the ECO capable of achieving progress in the areas identified in its Charter. The Deputy Secretary General also met with Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro, the President of ECOSF and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.The participating delegates also visited the new premises of the ECOSF where explanation was given by the President of ECOSF. The Meeting adopted the "Islamabad Communiqué" at the end of its work. CHRONICLE ECO 24 News in ECO

ECO Secretary General, H.E. Mr. Halil Ibrahim Akca, on August 16, 2016. During the meeting, the President of TOBB, Mr. M. Rifat President Hisarciklioglu, expressed TOBB readiness for supporting the ECO Secretariat's works; and informed that the TOBB think-tank institu- of tion, TEPAV, is also ready to make technical studies for the ECO Region. Also present during the meeting were TOBB Board Member Memis Kütükcü, Bayburt CCI Chair Ibrahim Yumak and Marmas Chamber of Commerce Chair Mehmet Baysal. The Union TOBB of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) is the visited the highest legal entity in Turkey representing the private sector. ECO Secretariat

ECO A delegation of the CHRONICLE Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) headed by its president H.E. Mr. M. Rifat Hisarciklioglu, paid a courtesy call on the Meeting on the ECO Center for Efficient Water Utilization for Agriculture

ECO The 2nd and called upon Member States to Excellence for Efficient Water CHRONICLE Working Group strengthen their efforts for close Utilization for Agriculture (ECO- Meeting on the Establishment of collaboration in implementation of CEEWUA). It also discussed Draft ECO Center of Excellence for joint projects and initiatives. Plan of Action for Feasibility Study Efficient Water Utilization for During the Meeting, representa- of the Establishment of ECO- Agriculture (ECO-CEEWUA) was tives of the ECO Member States CEEWUA, Project Proposal for con- held in Islamabad, the Islamic and IDB also delivered ducting a Feasibility Study for Republic of Pakistan on 25-26 July speeches/statements on the state of Establishment of the ECO- 2016. The Meeting was attended agriculture water affairs in their CEEWUA, and emphasized the by the delegates from Afghanistan, respective countries/organizations. need for updating national focal Republic of Azerbaijan, Iran, The Meeting also reviewed and, points/Institutions for expediting Republic of Kazakhstan, Pakistan with some amendments, finalized the process of Establishment of the (Host), Republic of Tajikistan, as the Statute of the ECO Center of Center. well as delegations from the ECO Secretariat, FAO and IDB. The Meeting was inaugurated by Mr. Muhammad Abid Javed, Federal Secretary, Ministry of National Food Security & Research of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan who, while expressing his gratitude to the ECO Member States and ECO Secretariat for attending the 2nd WGM, underscored the importance of water in the Region CHRONICLE ECO 25 News in ECO ECO Public-Private Sector Energy Consortiums meeting

ECO The 1st private sector cooperation CHRONICLE Meeting among ECO Member of the ECO Public and States and their commit- Private Sector ment for more integration Energy/Petroleum in the ECO Region. The Consortiums/Companies ECO Secretary General was held on 16-17 August also briefed the Meeting 2016 in Tehran. It was about the ECO's overall attended by the delegates policies in different areas from public and private sec- of cooperation and future tors from Afghanistan, plans, including ECO Republic of Azerbaijan, Vision-2025, recent Iran, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, progress made in advanc- Tajikistan and Turkey, as ing regional economic well as delegations from the development agenda, as ECO-CCI, ECO-TDB, IDB and Chambers of Commerce through well as implementation of ECOTA. ECO Secretariat. establishing active private sector The 1st Meeting of the ECO The Meeting was opened in an networks. Moreover, he acknowl- Public and Private Sector inauguration ceremony jointly held edged the timely convening of 1st Energy/Petroleum with the 21st Executive Committee Meeting of the ECO Public and Consortiums/Companies was struc- Meeting of the ECO Chamber of Private Sector Energy/Petroleum tured in 5 panel discussions involv- Commerce and Industries (ECO- Consortiums/Companies for ing representatives of the CCI). Dr. Mohammad enhancing energy cooperation. He public/private energy entities of the Nahavandian, Chief Executive of further called for increased trade participating countries who made the Office of the President of the among Member States through extensive discussions on various Islamic Republic of Iran, ECO expanding activities of ECO banks features of cooperation in energy Secretary General, Ambassador for commercial and investment sector. During the 2-day active pro- Halil Ibrahim Akca, Mr. Abdul Rauf purposes; boosting financial insur- gramme, the Meeting agreed on Alam, President of ECO-CCI and ance for projects; preferential joint establishment of ECO Energy Federation of Pakistan Chambers of venture projects; vigorous follow Consortium(s), covering coopera- Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), up for active implementation of tion and projects on oil and gas, Mr. M. Rifat Hisarciklioglu, ECOTA; normalization of visa electricity, petrochemical and President of the Unions of the regimes for businessmen and truck renewable energy sectors. A Chambers and Commodity drivers; issuance of ECO sticker roadmap for the establishment of Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Mr. visa, more customs facilities; estab- the ECO Energy Consortium will be Gholamhosein Shafeiee, Vice lishment of arbitration center; and prepared and circulated among the President of Iran Chamber of speeding up work on ECO corri- Member States shortly. Commerce, Industries, Mines and dors and regional connectivity. During the Meeting, the dele- Agriculture (ICCIMA), and Mr. In his statement, Ambassador gates from financial institutions, Azarakhsh Hafizi, Vice President of Halil Ibrahim Akca, ECO Secretary namely, ECO Trade and ECO-CCI made their statements in General deeply appreciated the Development Bank and the Islamic the inaugural ceremony. Government of the Islamic Development Bank also briefed the Dr. Mohammad Nahavandian, Republic of Iran, particularly Iran Meeting about their activities on while welcoming all delegations to Chamber of Commerce, Industries, completed, ongoing and future these important ECO Meetings, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) projects in the ECO Member highlighted tremendous potentiali- and ECO-CCI for holding the ECO- States. ECO-TDB expressed its ties that ECO countries possess in CCI Meetings as well as the 1st readiness to finance ECO energy human and natural resources and Meeting of the ECO Public and projects with special focus on clean urged the need for enhanced eco- Private Sector Energy/Petroleum energy projects, including, hydro, nomic cooperation among Consortiums/Companies and for solar, wind and other renewable Member States and their respective their sincere efforts for enhancing sources of energy. CHRONICLE ECO 26 News in ECO

CountrySTAT System Training for ECO Region

ECO The Economic Cooperation CHRONICLE Organization (ECO) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) jointly organized a five-day Refresher Training of Focal Points on the CountrySTAT System for ECO countries from 24 to 28 July 2016 in the ECO Secretariat, Tehran. H.E. Ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca, the ECO Secretary General inaugurated the Workshop and underlined the need for such training programs for better and potent economic policies through capacity building programs of individu- als and thereby national and regional institutions. Two senior trainers, namely, Mr. Fabio Grita, Coordinator of the "FENIX Platform", Information Technology Division and Ms. Stefania Bacci, makers, development organizations, and the pri- Statistician of FAO in Rome, delivered the train- vate sector to design and implement better poli- ings to participants from Afghanistan, Kyrgyz cy and investments in agriculture sector. The Republic, Tajikistan and Iran. System is based on state-of-the-art technologies CountrySTAT is a web-based information sys- and is currently being used by several interna- tem on food and agriculture which provides tional organizations such as UNECA, IFDC, easy access to statistical data of good quality that WTO and has been implemented in many can aid decision-makers in better, evidence- countries in Africa and in other areas of the based policy-making and greater efficiency in world. H.E. Ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca, the development politics. It serves as a one stop ECO Secretary General awarded the centre that enables the collection and harmo- "Certificates" to the participants. He urged the nization of timely and reliable official data from participants to utilize the knowledge gained in different sources and their integration in a com- their respective countries and expressed hope to mon location. Data provided through continue the same in future for sustainability of CountrySTAT is useful for researchers, policy- the benefits of such programs. CHRONICLE ECO 27 News in ECO

ECO Trade Meeting and Training were held in Islamabad

ECO As a part of implementa- Secretariat also made the welcome statement CHRONICLE tion of the 3rd Phase of during the inaugural session of the Meeting. ECO-UNIDO Trade Capacity Building Project, As per the programme of the Meeting and the Expert Group Meeting (EGM) and in the first day, the representatives of Training were held on July 18-20, 2016 in Ministry of Science and Technology of the Islamabad. Representatives from Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the ECO Republic of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Secretariat and UNIDO made presentations Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, relevant to the theme of the Project. The ECO Secretariat and UNIDO participated in participants also visited in the first day the the Meeting and Training. National Physical and Standards Laboratory The Meeting was inaugurated by His in Islamabad. Excellency Mr. Rana Tanveer Hussain, the In the following two days, the Meeting for- Minister of Science and Technology, Islamic mulated and finalized the draft guidelines for Republic of Pakistan. Dr. Mohammad Adnan, developing National Quality Policies in stan- Director for Trade and Investment of ECO dardization and conformity assessment and technical regulations, with technical support of UNIDO's international consultant of the Project. The Meeting also agreed that as the implementation of third phase of the Project will be completed this year, there is a need for the fourth phase of the Project and made its recommendations in this regard. In the closing remarks, Mr. Mohammad Siddiq, Director General, Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), thanked the representatives for their participation as well as for their valuable recommendations and suggestions during the Meeting. He also appreciated the ECO Secretariat and UNIDO for the contributions and the support made to hold the Meeting and Training. CHRONICLE ECO 28 News in ECO

ECO Training Course on "Unification of Height Datums" in Tehran The First ECO Geomatics Committee Training ed the importance of geometry, mapping and Course on "Unification of Height Datums" was surveying cooperation for the success of ECO hosted and organized by the National regional collaboration in other areas including Cartographic Center (NCC) of Iran on 16-21 in environment and disaster risk reduction. July 2016 in Tehran. The Training Course was At the beginning of the course, the partici- attended by representatives from Afghanistan, pants visited different departments of National Republic of Azerbaijan, Iran (host), Kyrgyzstan Cartographic Center of Iran and became well- and Tajikistan as well as ECO Secretariat. The versed with the main activities, functions and Training Course was jointly inaugurated by the capacities of the NCC, including the land Professor Dr. Alireza registry services, A. Ardalan, Director cadastre services, General of the map and atlas servic- National es, GPS, archive serv- Cartographic Center ices, human of Iran and Secretary resources manage- of the ECO ment and land reg- Geomatics istry and cadastre Committee and the modernization proj- ECO Deputy ects. Secretary General, Mr. Seyed Jalaledin During the 5-day Alavi Sabzevari. In his intensive schedule, opening statement, the participants NCC Director actively engaged in General, while different training ses- expressing his pro- sions on various top- found gratitude to ics, including tide the ECO Member States and ECO Secretariat gauges and related calibrations, analysis of the for contribution to and participation in the tide gauge observations (Fourier analysis, least Training Course underscored the importance of squares analysis, wavelet analysis), tide gauges training, pertinent capacity building, enhancing calibration computations, satellite altimetry synergy and coherence among key concerned observations & corrections, satellite altimetry stakeholders in the ECO Region on mapping computations, geoid, sea surface topography and geometry, including the unification of and mean sea level computation, concept of height datums, and highlighted the dividends heights, and height datums and unifications of of regional cooperation in this sphere. He also height datums and their computations. They called upon Member States to strengthen their also learned various concerned topics from efforts for further enhancing the collaboration chief instructor and other instructors from Iran under the established mechanism of "ECO and exercised extensive technical formula and Geomatics Committee". test data for solving the equations through In his inaugural statement and while empha- online software. sizing on the importance of training, capacity At the conclusion of the fruitful training building and knowledge sharing among course, all participants were awarded with Member States, the ECO Deputy Secretary "Certificate of Completion". General Mr. Seyed Jalaledin Alavi briefed the A Tehran City Tour for participants was also participants on ECO's overall profile and cur- planned by National Cartographic Center of rent state of play, including the emerging ECO Iran on 21st July 2016. Vision for the next 10 years. He also highlight- CHRONICLE ECO 29 News in ECO ECO Secretary General met with Iran's Vice President

ECO ECO Secretary This is why Iran is increasingly CHRONICLE General giving prominence to ECO in our Ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca external relations and we are very met on 22 June 2016 with H.E. Dr. interested to learn about ECO Mohammad Bagher Nobakht, the capacities and roles in this regard. Vice President of the Islamic Ambassador Akca in return Republic of Iran and the Head of briefed Dr. Nobakht about the Management and Planning planning structure of ECO, includ- Organization. ing through ECO Regional At the beginning of the Meeting, Planning Council (RPC) which Dr. Nobakht welcomed Secretary includes the heads of planning General and his delegation and organizations of the Member highlighted two important devel- States. opments in Iran which have direct He further referred to the ongo- bearing on ECO, namely, end of ing planning exercise within ECO, sanction era and the emerging 5- the so called "ECO Vision 2025", year national development plan of and the process towards its final- the Country. ization. He underscored that in both He highlighted the importance of developments, there is strong the intervention of the ministers of desire to engage in higher level of planning and development of the cooperation with the neighbouring Member States at this stage to countries. finalize the draft Vision. ECO Secretariat hosted Iftar Reception. ECO In honour of the Holy Month of CHRONICLE Ramadan, an Iftar dinner was hosted by Ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca, the ECO Secretary General on 22 June 2016 at the ECO Secretariat. The Iftar dinner was attended by the ambassadors and representatives of the ECO Member States as well as staff members of the Secretariat. During the reception, Secretary General also bid farewell to H.E. Noor Muhammad Jadmani, the outgoing ambassador of Pakistan to ECO and welcomed the new ambassador of Republic of Azerbaijan to ECO, H.E. Bunyad Huseinov. He also handed over "Certificate of Appreciation" to two directors of the Secretariat, Mr. Orkhan Zeynalov and Mr. Gaffar Erbek, at the end of their tenure in the ECO Secretariat. CHRONICLE ECO 30 News in ECO Study and website on Nanotechnology in ECO Region

ECO The described the ECO CHRONICLE Study on Nanotechnology Network "Nanotechnology Progress (ECONAN) as a great in ECO Region" conducted capacity in ECO Region for by the Iran development and promo- Nanotechnology Initiative tion of high technologies Council was formally which ultimately will bene- released at a ceremony on fit the people of Member 22 January 2017 in Tehran States and help improve attended by high ranking the quality of life. He officials and ambassadors expressed hope that all from Member States and Member States will join the ECO Secretary General. Project. The website of the ECO It is to be reminded that Nanotechnology Network the project of establish- (http://www.econano.org) his opening remarks emphasized ment of ECO was also launched at the same that nanotechnology is one of the Nanotechnology Network was event. highest technologies of today's proposed by the Islamic Republic The programme was hosted by world that is transforming the of Iran in 2007 which includes as Dr. Saeed Sarkar, Secretary world by inventing and producing first steps, conducting the above General of the Iran new materials which are non-exis- study and launching the website. Nanotechnology Initiative Council tent naturally. He also overviewed The participants in the ceremony of Iran. The event was jointly the history of the ECO also visited the exhibition of Iran opened by statements made by Nanotechnology Network and Nanotechnology Achievements Dr. Sarkar and H.E. Ambassador admired the release of the Study which showcased numerous num- Halil Ibrahim Akca, ECO Secretary as an important step towards ber of nanotech products and General. ECO Secretary General in implementation of the Project. He applications. CHRONICLE ECO 31 News in ECO

ECO-UNESCO-Habitat Workshop on Seismic Hazard and Risk Analysis was held in Tehran

ECO CHRONICLE During the 3-day The "Induction workshop; the Capacity Building instructors from Iran Workshop of Sub- and Turkey, namely, regional Project on Dr. Oveisi, Dr. Zare, Seismic Hazard and Dr. Can Zulfikar , Dr. Risk Analysis" was Babak Mansouri, Dr. organized from 30th Anoushiravan Ansari, May to 1st June 2016 Dr. Masoud Mojarab, in the ECO Secretariat Eng. Nazi Norouzi, in Tehran. The Dr. Zafarani, and Dr. Workshop was partici- Farnaz Kamranzad pated by government's conducted technical representatives, scien- exchanges on the top- tists and experts from ics of the Workshop. Afghanistan, Iran, Participating repre- Pakistan, Turkmenistan sentatives and scien- and Turkey as well as tists from officials from Afghanistan, Iran, UNESCO, UN-Habitat, implementation of the Sendai Pakistan and Turkmenistan also International Institute of framework in the ECO Region. presented their scientific papers Earthquake Engineering and He further acknowledged the and researches. Seismology (IIEES) and ECO importance of such sub-regional This induction workshop was Secretariat. project by UN for four ECO planned to familiarize the rele- Member States (Afghanistan, vant governmental and academic In the opening session; Mr. Iran, Pakistan and Turkmenistan) representatives of the participat- Siamak Moghadam, Chief of and expressed hope that this ing countries with the sub- UN-Habitat, Ms. Esther Kuisch- project and projects as such be regional project on seismic haz- Laroche, Director of UNESCO expanded to cover other inter- ard and risk analysis initiated by Tehran office, Mr. Seyed ested ECO Member States. UN- Habitat and UNESCO and Jalaledin Alavi, Deputy supported by Economic Secretary General of the Cooperation Organization Economic Cooperation (ECO) and some other interna- Organization (ECO), and Dr. tional organizations. The Project Mehdi Zare from IIEES made is planned to be finished in 3 their opening remarks address- years. ing the importance of this sub- During the Workshop, some regional project for the technical visits were also organ- enhanced cooperation on disas- ized by the Iranian authorities. ter risk reduction. ECO Deputy At the end of the Workshop, Secretary General also informed the participants received the participants about the ongo- "Certificate of Participation" ing attempt within ECO to cre- jointly awarded by ECO, ate a regional platform for UNESCO, Habitat and IIEES. CHRONICLE ECO 32 News in ECO

ECO On 2 June 2016 and on the CHRONICLE sidelines of the 6th ECO Working Group Meeting on Environment held in Islamabad, the participating delegations called on ECO H.E. Mr. Zahid Hamid, Minister for Climate Change of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. At the outset, the Minister congratulated the ECO Environment Secretariat for convening important 6th ECO WGM on Environment in Islamabad and deeply appreciated ECO's efforts to stimulate regional Delegates met dialogue on environmental concerns. H.E. Minister Hamid also briefed the visiting ECO delegates in detail about Pakistan's achieved goals, with Minister for ongoing and future activities in various areas of environment, including organizational structure, constitutional amendments being carried out by Climate Change the Government of Pakistan in climate change policy, biodiversity conservation and sustainable of Pakistan world and has been declared as world's 8th most affected county. The Minister said these changes have not only dire effects on Pakistan, but on its neighbors as well. Speaking on behalf of the ECO Secretariat and all delegates, Mr. Orkhan Zeynalov, ECO Director for Energy, Minerals and Environment (EME) thanked the Government of Pakistan, particularly the Ministry of Climate Change for hosting this important and timely ECO meeting in Islamabad and praised Pakistan's invaluable contributions within ECO`s environmental umbrella, as well as for voicing regional concerns within global environmental fora. He highlighted the important role Pakistan could play in ECO Region via championing capacity building and knowledge sharing in core areas, inter alia, combating adverse impacts of climate change, deforestation and sustainable forest management, forest management at provincial and federal lev- sand storms, droughts, floods, etc. els, as well as on actions aimed to increase the current level of 5% forest coverage ratio in the At the end of the Meeting, the honourable Country. He stated that the Government of Minister called for robust cooperation among Pakistan is giving utmost priority to forestry and ECO Member States and requested the ECO numerous tree planting activities has been Secretariat to put efforts in formulating regional launched in all provinces of Pakistan. policy frameworks for climate resilient pathways, The Minister recalled devastating havoc of with particular emphasis on coping with desertifi- floods of 2010 and 2011 in Pakistan, which trig- cation problem in ECO Region. He assured the gered displacement of 20 million people as well Secretariat and Member States of Government of as nearly 10 billion USD economic losses, and Pakistan's full cooperation in environmental highlighted that Pakistan is located in one of the domain. He also graciously honored the dele- most dangerous climate affected zones of the gates with memorable souvenirs. CHRONICLE ECO 33 News in ECO

ECO Secretary General met with new ECI President University students visited ECO

Secretariat ECO The new President of ECO Cultural CHRONICLE Institute, Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri, visited the ECO Secretariat on 23 October ECO As per past practice, CHRONICLE two groups of master 2016 and met with the ECO Secretary General, H.E. students from the University of Tehran ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akça. and PhD students from University of During the meeting, ECO Secretary General con- Tarbiat Modarress visited the ECO gratulated Dr. Mazaheri on his new assignment and Secretariat on 29 December 2016 and assured him of continued support of the Secretariat to became familiar with the functions the ECI. and structure of the ECO Secretariat. Both sides reviewed the possible areas for enhanc- Headed by Professor Nasrin Mosafa, a ing cultural activities of the Organization. well-known political science scholar, President of ECO Cultural Institute also underlined the students were also briefed by the the importance of the cooperation among ECO bod- officials and officers of the Secretariat ies and emphasized the need to strengthen coopera- about the legal and operational tion and exchange of experiences between ECO aspects of the organization as well as Cultural Institute, ECO Science Foundation and ECO projects and programmes in trade, Educational Institute as three specialized agencies of energy and transport. ECO. CHRONICLE ECO 34 News in ECO

ECO- ESCAP joint DRR Mission to Kabul

ECO At the request of the DRR ESCAP Secretariat and UNESCO Tehran CHRONICLE authorities of the Islamic Office as well as representatives of some Republic of Afghanistan, a joint mission by ECO Member States and relevant local ECO and UNESCAP visited Kabul from 20 to experts and officials engaged in a round of 22 February 2017. interactive discussions. The purpose of the mission was to make The members of the joint mission also met assessment of the needs of the Country in with H.E Wais Ahmad Barmak, honourable its national attempts to reduce disaster risk State Minister for Disaster Management and and to define working mechanisms for a Humanitarian Affairs of Afghanistan. regional inter-agency support to The outcome of the mission is expected to Afghanistan. contribute to the ongoing ECO undertaking The programme of the joint mission includ- for developing a regional framework for ed, among others, discussions with relevant DRR, taking into account the special needs Afghani DRR authorities and stakeholders, of the Member States and the region as a and meetings with the representatives of the whole; and to the overall ECO advocacy UN agencies and other relevant international programmes for Afghanistan which are organizations based in Kabul. A national expected to be revisited during an ECO spe- workshop was also held where representa- cial conference on Afghanistan, scheduled tives and experts from ECO Secretariat, for May 2017 in Kabul. CHRONICLE ECO 35 News in ECO

6th ECO Working Group Meeting on Environment in Islamabad works. In his opening remarks, Mr. Orkhan Zeynalov, ECO Director for Energy, Minerals and Environment (EME) expressed his appreciation to the Ministry of Climate Change of Pakistan for hosting the Meeting in Islamabad and briefed on ECO`s overall environment profile, including recent progress made in advancing regional dialogue on climate change, sustainable forest management and biodiversity agendas, as well as ongoing projects and future engagements. ECO Director also briefed on the key elements of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN Summit on Sustainable Development held in New York in September 2015, which also adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and emphasized on the desirability of crafting ECO policies in line with the 2030 Agenda, Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Sendai global framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. ECO The 6th ECO Working Professor Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro, President of ECO CHRONICLE Group Meeting on Science Foundation, Mr. Sasan Rabieh, Coordinator of ECO- Environment, hosted by the Ministry of IEST and Mr. Syed Muhammad Raza Shah, National Climate Change of the Islamic Republic of Progression Officer of the UNESCO to Pakistan also delivered Pakistan, in collaboration with ECO their opening policy statements/presentations. Science Foundation, was held on 1-2 June The Senior Environmental Representatives from ECO 2016 in Islamabad. The Meeting was attended by the Senior Environmental Officials from Afghanistan, Republic of Azerbaijan, Iran, Pakistan (host), Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkish Cypriot State (ECO Observer), as well as UNESCO, ECO-IEST, ECO Science Foundation and the ECO Secretariat. Mr. Syed Abu Ahmad Akif, Federal Secretary for Ministry of Climate Change of Pakistan while inaugurating the Meeting expressed his profound gratitude to all delegations for participating in the Meeting and underscored the importance of enhancing synergy and coherence among ECO Member States in order to seriously cope with environmental issues, including climate change, trans-boundary biodiversity threats, deforestation, land degradation and desertification, especially in the context of Paris Agreement on Climate Change and within the ECO policy frame- CHRONICLE ECO 36 News in ECO ECO Secretary Member States also highlighted their national environmental policies and strategies and best practices in the context General attended of global agendas in order to deal seriously with major threats emanating from the adverse impacts of climate change and the Annual other environmental issues. After extensive deliberations, the Meeting of the Meeting generated key outcome decisions on, among others, the Work Plan on Biodiversity in ECO Region (2016-2020); ECO Bank establishment of Ad Hoc Group/Task Force to formulate and develop "ECO Regional Adaptation Programme"; reflec- tion of common environmental concerns in the new ECO Vision 2025; concerted actions in the context of Nairobi Resolution on dust haze and sand storms adopted in May 2016 during UNEA-2; implementation of the key action points agreed during the 2nd ECO Consultative Meeting held on 27 May 2016 on the sidelines of the 2nd UNEA in Nairobi; timely submission of the NPRs; publication of ECO Bulletin on Environment; ECO The 15th Annual Meeting of the Board of CHRONICLE ECO regional policies on addressing grave Governors of the ECO Trade and impacts of air pollution and waste man- Development Bank (ECO-TDB) was held on May 31, 2016 in agement and trans-boundary water issues; Istanbul, Turkey. On invitation of the Bank, H.E ECO Secretary preparation of ECO State of Environment General, Ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca participated in the ple- (SOE) Report; implementation of the nary session of the Meeting and delivered a statement. SDGs and access to funding from GCF In his statement to the Plenary, the ECO Secretary General and GEF; organizing training workshops congratulated the Bank for expanding its membership to six on capacity building for the optimal ECO ECO Member States and appreciated various development ini- regional approach to green economy; tiatives the Bank is formulating and implementing to contribute "ECO Technical Workshop on Combating towards the medium and long-term financing needs of the Desertification with a Special Emphasis on Region. He also deliberated upon ECO-UNIDO's Trade Dust Haze and Sand Storm in the ECO Capacity Building Project initiative and the preparation of ECO Region" in 2016/2017; and participation Vision 2025 by the Secretariat. He further touched upon ECO's of Member States in UNESCAP Regional efforts regarding energy and environment-related issues such as Conference in September 2016, as well the proposed ECO Regional Electricity Market, the ECO Plan of as hosting the International Green Film Action on Environmental Cooperation and Global Warming Festival (IIGFF) tour in ECO Member (2015-2020) and steps for combating desertification. He also States. discussed the proposed Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) Road Moreover, the Meeting also recom- Corridor for improving connectivity and transport of goods and mended to organize ECO people across the Region. Ministerial/Senior Officials Meetings on The Secretary General called on the Bank and the ECO the sidelines of the UNFCCC, CBD, Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECO-CCI) to find better UNCCD, UNEA, including the UNFCCC ways and means of cooperation to promote sustainable devel- COP-22 (November 2016 in Morocco) opment and regional integration in both public and private sec- and UNCBD COP-13 scheduled for tors. He thanked the President of the Bank, H.E. Mr. Javaid December 2016 in Cancun, Mexico. The Aslam for this opportunity to address the 15th Annual Meeting Meeting also expressed its support for the of the Board of Governors. Turkish candidacy for hosting the UNFC- The ECO Trade & Development Bank (ECO-TDB) was estab- CC COP-26 in 2020, as well as for CBD lished on August 3, 2005 and started its operation in December COP-14 in 2018. 2008. CHRONICLE ECO 37 External Relations

Secretary General attended UN Sustainable Transport Conference in Ashgabat An ECO high level delegation Conference, ECO Secretary the project to be funded by IDB, headed by His Excellency General had bilateral meetings notably regarding support on the Ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca with Foreign Minister and part of Kazakh and Iranian participated in the UN Global Minister of Railway Transport of Railways. Turkmen side articulat- Sustainable Transport Conference, Turkmenistan. H.E. Mr. Rashid ed its support towards this ECO's hosted by the Government of Meredov, Foreign Minister of initiative. Possibility of initiating a Turkmenistan on 26-27 Turkmenistan, while stressing the feasibility study to examine inter- November 2016 in Ashgabat. importance of cooperation of modal operation opportunities In his inaugural statement, H.E. Turkmenistan under the auspices (Ro-RO) for ECO Members of the Mr. Gurbanguly of ECO, informed about the Caspian region was also discussed Berdimuhamedov, Honourable readiness of Turkmen with Turkmenistan's showing incli- President of Turkmenistan Government to host the 9th nation to this end. referred to the latest ECO delegation developments in the also participated and transport sector in contributed to the Turkmenistan where agenda of UNECE's a number of ambi- side event on "border tious projects on con- crossing facilitation" struction and upgrad- via presenting its lating of existing infra- est activities on the structure in road, rail- subject and met with way, aviation and the the counterparts sea transport are from the UN com- being realized and missions, notably, planned. ECE and ESCAP. Ms. ECO Secretary Eva Molnar from General in his state- UNECE's Transport ment in the Division encouraged Conference pointed ECO to move on out that ECO has a with legal arrange- proven record in ments for possibility facilitating regional of acting "as a dia- and international logue partner" under transport and removal of unsus- Ministerial Meeting on Transport UNECE's TIR related bodies to tainable transport practices where in 2017. The two sides also promote the interests of its sustainable transport is of prime exchanged views on further joint Member States and expressed importance and high relevance to actions with active participation of readiness to provide guidance in ECO. He further referred to the Turkmen counterparts. this regard. Mr. Li Yuwei, from corridor-based arrangements of In meeting with the Minister of UNESCAP Transport Division also ECO to promote development of Railways of Turkmenistan, the assured support to help ECO in its member countries through issue of commercialization of the finding a qualified lead consultant smooth and seamless road and railway connecting Kazakhstan, for ITI and KTAI road corridors railway transit system in the Turkmenistan and Iran (KTI) was studies and expressed readiness Region. discussed where Turkmen side to cooperate on other projects of On the sidelines of the was briefed on the latest status on mutual interest. CHRONICLE ECO 38 External Relations

ECO Secretariat attended the

tional trade. Heart of Asia He encouraged Afghanistan to take benefit of the trade finance and infrastructure development Conference schemes offered by the ECO Bank. He also referred to Afghanistan's active participation in ECO's programmes and projects interconnecting in India the region and removing existing obstacles on the way of transit, and highlighted the project on The 6th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of development of the road corridor between Kyrgyz- Asia-Istanbul Process was held on 4 December Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Iran (KTAI) and ECO 2016 in Amritsar, Republic of India. Container Train Network Islamabad-Tehran- The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and high-level Istanbul. He further added that ECO in coopera- representatives of the participating and supporting tion with Government of Afghanistan will soon countries, as well as high level representatives of organize "ECO Special Conference on Afghanistan" the international and regional organizations attend- with the participation of the ministers/high level ed the Conference, co-chaired by Mr. Shri Arun officials of the Member States as well as represen- Jaitley, Finance Minister of the Republic of India tatives of the relevant regional and international and Mr. Salahuddin Rabbani, Minister of Foreign stake-holders to agree on an optimal ECO advoca- Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. cy policy for Afghanistan for the years to come. At the joint invitation of the Ministers of Foreign The Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference agreed Affairs of Afghanistan and India, ECO Secretariat to continue cooperation in the Confidence attended this important event. Building Measures (CBMs) in the areas of disaster The Conference, themed as "Addressing chal- management; trade commercial and investment lenges, achieving prosperity", was jointly inaugurat- opportunities; regional infrastructure; counter-nar- ed by H.E. Mr. Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister cotics, etc. The Conference unanimously adopted of India and H.E. Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, "Amritsar Declaration", reaffirming commitment of President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. the Heart of Asia countries for long-term peace In his statement at the Ministerial Conference, and stability in Afghanistan. ECO Deputy Secretary General Mr. Kanan Nazarov highlighted that Ministerial Conferences are the most important mechanism to take stock of achievements and work together in charting the future course of action in realizing the collective objective of a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan. He added that Afghanistan's accession to the WTO is a very important milestone helping its integration with the global trade system and it will put Afghanistan in a favourable environment to take benefit from the economic advantages of interna- CHRONICLE ECO 39 External Relations ECO Secretariat participated in COP22 in Marrakech The 22nd Conference of the of Iran, Ms. Helen Clark, ject areas which are in line with Parties of the United Nations Administrator of the United the UNEP's policy to enhance Convention on Climate change Nations Development Programme partnerships with international (UNFCCC) was held from 7 to 18 (UNDP) and Mr. Erik Solheim, and regional organizations and November 2016 in Marrakesh, Executive Director of UN expressed his hope to work closer Morocco. The High Level Environment Programme (UNEP) with ECO in implementation of Segment of the Conference, 15- as keynote speakers. The aim of these projects. The delegation had 17 November 2016, was attended the Side Event was to both raise also detailed discussions with by Heads of State/Government, awareness and serve as a call to some other UNEP officials on the Ministers and high level officials action for the countries of the future bilateral cooperation. from UNFCCC state parties, as region to find a way to tackle the On 14th of November 2016, well as representatives of the UN trans-boundary human develop- ECO delegation conducted a full- System, intergovernmental organi- ment challenges such as sand and day showcase on ECO activities zations, NGOs and other stake- dust storms (SDS). On the margins for visibility and networking pur- holders. An ECO delegation also of the Side Event, ECO delegation poses. The showcase provided an attended the High level Segment. had a brief discussion with Mr. ample opportunity for ECO dele- During the Conference, ECO was Erik Solheim, UNEP Executive gation to introduce Organization's officially granted Observer Status Director and exchanged views on activities specifically in the envi- in the COP process of the UNFC- future ECO-UNEP cooperation, ronmental area and gain publicity CC which is the fifth observership particularly on preparation of SoE among delegates and visitors rep- recently granted to ECO by global for the ECO Region and ECO resenting world environment environmental entities. In 2015 project on dust haze and sand community through organization and 2016, ECO was granted storms. The UNEP Executive of open dialogues, networking Observer Status in the UNEP for Director acknowledged the with NGOs and IGOs, and pre- UN Environment Assembly importance of projects in the sub- senting ECO projects. (UNEA) and its subsidiary bodies; UNCCD; IPCC and UNCBD. On the margins of the Marrakech Conference, the ECO delegation participated in the Side Event on Sand and Dust Storms, co-organized by Iran and UNDP on 15 November 2016. The Event, moderated by Mr. Gary Lewis, UN Resident Coordinator in Iran, was held with participation of Mrs. Masoumeh Ebtekar, Vice-President and Head of Department of Environment (DoE) CHRONICLE ECO 40 External Relations ECO Secretariat attended the UN Global South-South Development EXPO 2016 The Global South-South ties; to establish new partner- Development EXPO 2016 was ships; as well as to agree on joint held from October 31 to projects and innovative practical November 3, 2016 in Dubai. solutions; so as to best contribute "South-South Cooperation: towards the implementation of Enhancing innovation towards the 2030 Sustainable achieving the 2030 Agenda for Development Agenda. ECO Sustainable Development" was Deputy Secretary General in his the overall theme of the annual remarks briefed the Forum about event, which hosted the UN the Organization and ECO Representatives and UNDP Region. He pointed out that Resident Coordinators in differ- regional groupings can serve as a ent countries; UN specialized practical platform to promote agencies, funds and pro- South-South and Triangular grammes; intergovernmental Cooperation and to implement organizations; think tanks; and other partner organiza- Global South strategies towards the achievement of tions showcasing their best practices. The EXPO also SDG's, and ECO can play role and contribute in this included a series of "Solution Forums" where key stake- regard. As the outcome of the First Regional holders from throughout the Global South engaged Networking Forum, Joint Statement on South-South with their counterparts to exchange knowledge and Cooperation was adopted. experiences on a wide range of issues, including eco- On the sidelines of GSSD EXPO 2016, ECO Deputy nomic growth, food security, public-private partnership, Secretary General also met with Mr. Jorge Chediek, green technology transfer, industrial innovation, global Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for South-South health, youth empowerment and peace-building. Cooperation and Director of the United Nations Office At the invitation of the United Nations Office for for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC). The two sides South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), ECO Secretariat exchanged views on finalizing the draft MoU between attended this important Global South-South ECO and UNOSSC and discussed the ways of working Development event for the first time. Deputy Secretary on a strategic framework for the projects and activities General Mr. Kanan Nazarov participated in the Plenary to be jointly implemented in the areas of interest. Sessions on "Cross-regional South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Promoting Sustainable Development" and "Research on South-South Cooperation in the Context of the SDGs", and "High-level Forum of Directors General for Development Cooperation".

On 4th of November ECO Deputy Secretary General also attended the "First Regional Networking Forum on the role of South-South/East-East cooperation in advancing the achievement of national development priorities in implementing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda". The Forum was an opportunity for national focal points on South-South Cooperation and for representatives of various relevant regional groupings as well as other key global and regional multilateral institutions to exchange approaches to formulating national South-South Cooperation strategies as a means to further improve the national level coordination of South-South and Triangular Cooperation activi- CHRONICLE

41ECO External Relations

ECO Secretariat attended the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction

re-affirm the region's leadership on disaster risk management and provide important input to the The "Asian Ministerial Global Platform for Disaster Risk strategies of the countries. The Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, which will be hosted coherence and interlinkage Reduction" was held from 3 to 5 by the Government of Mexico in between disaster risk reduction, November 2016 in New Delhi. May 2017. sustainable development and cli- The Conference was inaugurated During the Conference and its mate change was underlined as by the Indian Prime Minister, Mr. thematic and featured panels, a critical thread in most state- Narendra Modi and Special representatives of the participat- ments. Representative of UN Secretary ing countries and organizations ECO Deputy Secretary General General and the Head of UN deliberated on ways and means in his statement in the plenary Office for Disaster Risk to upgrade regional cooperation session of the Conference Reduction (UNISDR). Over on disaster risk reduction and on briefed the ministerial meeting 4,000 delegates, including high the components of the regional about disaster situation in the level representatives from 50 plan for disaster risk reduction in ECO Region and referred to countries as well as senior offi- Asia. All Governments and other ECO emerging regional cials from UN relevant agencies parties expressed commitment approach to disaster risk reduc- and other international and and support to the implementation in the post Sendai era. regional organizations participat- tion of the Sendai Framework for The Asian Ministerial ed in the Conference. An ECO Disaster Risk Reduction 2015- Conference was concluded with Delegation headed by Deputy 2030, which is helping countries adoption of the "Asia Regional Secretary General, Mr. Seyed to institutionalize DRR into long- Plan for Implementation of the Jalaledin Alavi Sabzevari also term development planning and Sendai Framework for Disaster attended the Event. climate change adaptation Risk Reduction 2015-2030" and In his introducto- "New Delhi ry remarks, Mr. Declaration". The Robert Glasser, the Regional Plan Head of UNISDR, urged on boosting gave an overview national and local on the way gone efforts to reduce since UN disaster losses and Conference in increase regional Sendai in March cooperation on 2015 and high- disaster risk man- lighted the impor- agement in Asia. tance of the Asian The Plan has also Ministerial emphasized on Conference which the need to CHRONICLE ECO 42 External Relations

Secretary General of Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) Dr. UMEZAVA Akima participated in strengthen the capacity of main the discussions on the imperative tainly help synergy and coher- inter-governmental regional of the regional cooperation in ence in the approaches adopted organizations (IGO) including fostering DRR efforts at national, by different regions and sub- ECO to foster the implementa- regional and global levels. regions. tion of the Sendai On the sidelines of the Framework from a regional Asian Ministerial perspective. Conference, the ECO The New Delhi Delegation met with Mr. Declaration called on Robert Glasser, the Special enhancing regional coopera- Representative of UN tion including strengthening Secretary General and the the role of intergovernmen- Head of UN Office for tal organizations for coher- Disaster Risk Reduction ent implementation of the (UNISDR) on 4 November. Sendai Framework and the At the beginning of the 2030 sustainable develop- Meeting, Mr. Alavi gave a ment agenda, fostering inno- report on the ECO activities vative partnerships, and since last bilateral discus- North-South, South-South sions in Dushanbe. He par- and Triangular Cooperation Panelists also presented capaci- ticularly focused on the in all areas related to disaster risk ties exist in their respective outcome of the Expert Group reduction. regions and sub-regions for pro- Meeting on ECO Regional This year's Ministerial Meeting motion of DRR agendas. The Framework for DRR, recently also included a panel on Panel also included questions convened in Tehran. He "Strengthening Regional from the audience which stimu- thanked UNISDR for its contribu- Cooperation for Sendai lated further contributions from tion into the meeting. Mr. Framework Implementation in the panelists. In informal Glasser also informed the ECO Asia" held on 4 November. delegation on the future The Panel was chaired by course of actions on DRR H.E. Mr. Kiren Rijiju, including the global indica- Minister of State of Home tors to be finalized by the Affairs of India. Panelists end of this year which from inter-governmental defines benchmarks for regional organizations (IGO) implantation and monitor- in Asia including Executive ing of the Sendai Secretary of UNESCAP, Dr. Framework at different lev- Shamshad Akhtar; Secretary els. He also expressed hope General of SAARC, Mr. that in his future visit to Arjun Bahadur Thapa; Iran, ECO-UNISDR rela- Secretary General of the Bay tionship can be further of Bengal Initiative for Multi- strengthened. Sectoral Technical and ECO delegation also Economic Cooperation attended a side event (BIMSTEC), Ambassador Sumith exchange of views between ECO chaired by Tajikistan on DRR Nakandala; ECO Deputy delegation and some participat- regional framework for Central Secretary General, Mr. Alavi ing regional organizations on the Asia and Caucasus, and a meet- Sabzevari; Deputy Secretary sidelines of the Panel, it was gen- ing on DRR information manage- General of ASEAN, Mr. Vongthep erally agreed that this kind of ment jointly organized by Iran Arthakaivalvatee; and Deputy inter-regional dialogue will cer- and ESCAP. CHRONICLE ECO 43 44 ECO CHRONICLE Relations External (ICCIMA), UniversityofTehran andUniversity World BankGroup,IranChamberofCommerce Market RegulatoryAuthorityof Turkey (EMRA), Electricity Transmission Company(TEIAS),Energy Management Company(TAVANIR), Turkish Generation, Transmission andDistribution Requirements. Regional ElectricityMarket:Realitiesand flows andpromotionofsustainability(2)ECO Energy Charterasadriverforenergyinvestment comprised oftwopanels:(1)TheInternational the 23rdWorld EnergyCongress.Theroundtable on 12October2016inIstanbulthesidelinesof Charter Secretariatjointlyorganizedaroundtable Organization incooperationwiththeEnergy The panelistsandspeakersfromIran'sPower The SecretariatoftheEconomicCooperation on theMargins of theWorld ECO-ECT Roundtable Congress Energy Energy Secretary Generalalsoreferredto Sustainable EnergyforAll".ECO of "UnitedNationsDecade the UNSecretaryGeneral'sinitiative Ministers, whichalsoconformsto claimed bytheECOEnergy enhanced EnergyCooperation",pro- with 2013-2022"ECODecadefor among keyECOstakeholdersinline synergies andcoherenceonenergy ECO andcalledforenhancementof priority areasofcooperationwithin importance ofenergyasonethe tional organizations. partnerships withrelevantinterna- sector andenhancingcollaborative mentation ofECOprojectsinenergy opment agenda,aswellimple- advancing regionaleconomicdevel- cies, recentprogressmadein the audienceonECO'soverallpoli- tion ofthissideevent.Hebriefed excellent coordinationandprepara- er, EnergyCharterSecretariatfor Congress, aswelltheco-organiz- for conveningtheWorld Energy Government ofRepublicTurkey General deeplyappreciatedthe Ibrahim Akça,ECOSecretary roundtable, AmbassadorHalil Roundtable. ECT Secretariatsparticipatedinthe College LondonaswellECOand Secretary Generalunderscoredthe In hisopeningremarksinthe External Relations ECO the trends in the global investment in energy sector and highlighted the features of the ongoing ECO relevant Secretary projects, notably ECO Regional Electricity Market. During the second panel, chaired General by the ECO Secretary General, speakers and panelists brainstormed on the current state of play and meetings in future course of actions as relates to promoting the energy profile within the Region and exchanged views on New York the ways and means to realize the imperative of energy trade and connectivity in this part of the world. They agreed on the need for continued synergic dialogue among the relevant stakeholders to implement the ECO Regional Electricity Market project in practical way. They also valued the utilization of experiences

A delegation of the ECO Secretariat led by H.E. Halil Ibrahim Akca, ECO Secretary General attended the General Debate segment of the 71st UN General Assembly where heads of State and Government and Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the UN member states, including ECO Member States, addressed the Assembly. The ECO Secretary General also held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Jorge Chediek, Envoy of the UN Secretary General for South-South Cooperation and Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSS) on September 23, 2016. The two sides exchanged views on the and best practices of the existing status of the ongoing process of signing an MoU between success stories in electricity markets ECO and UNOSS and discussed ways and means to establish in the world. workable arrangements for bilateral cooperation in the areas The panelists from private compa- of interest for their common member states. UNOSS nies and institutes also delivered Director also invited ECO Secretary General to the Global presentations and proposed for South-South Cooperation Expo scheduled for late October in establishment of Smart Markets, Dubai. such as ECO/Caspian Energy Grid An Informal Coordination Meeting (ICM) was also held with active involvement of con- between the representatives of the Secretariats of ASEAN cerned and interested ECO institu- and ECO in New York on the sidelines of the UN General tions with a view to contributing to Assembly. The Meeting was co-chaired by the Philippines such projects through providing their and Iran. ECO was represented by the Deputy Secretary research and capacity building serv- General Mr. Ahsan Ali Mangi and ASEAN was represented by ices. the Deputy Secretary General Mr. Hirubalan V P. During the Meeting, the status of cooperation between two organizations were reviewed and future plans for enhanced cooperation were discussed. CHRONICLE ECO 45 External Relations ECO Secretariat attended OIC Council of Foreign Ministers The 43rd Session of the Council of Foreign the youth. Ministers of Organization of the Islamic The Minister of Education of Uzbekistan, H.E. Cooperation was held on 18-19 October 2016 in Mr. Rostom Kassimov in his remarks introduced Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan. At the invitation the theme of this session of OIC Council of by the Government of Republic of Uzbekistan and Foreign Ministers, namely, "Education and OIC Secretary General, the Deputy Secretary Enlightenment - Path to Peace and Creativity". General Mr. Kanan The Session was chaired NAZAROV represented by the Minister of Foreign the ECO in the Session. Affairs of Republic The Session was opened Uzbekistan, H.E. Mr. by the Chairman of the Abdulaziz Kamilov. previous session of the Ministers of Foreign OIC Council of Foreign Affairs and high level rep- Ministers, First Deputy resentatives of the OIC Prime Minister and Member States, as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs senior representatives of the State of Kuwait, from UN relevant agen- H.E. Mr. Sheikh Sabah cies and other internation- Khaled Al-Hamad Al- al and regional organiza- Sabah. tions participated in the The President of Session. Republic of Uzbekistan, At the end of the Session H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered the inaugural deliberations, "Tashkent Declaration on Education statement and expressed the profound signifi- and Enlightenment - Path to Peace and Creativity" cance of the theme of the Session and stressed was adopted. The Deputy Secretary General also upon the need to consider the spiritual aspects in joined Brainstorming Meeting on Youth education, and to strengthen cooperation among Empowerment in OIC Member States. CHRONICLE ECO 46 External Relations

ECO Secretariat attended the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change The Forty-Fourth Environment of the Session of the ECO Secretariat par- Intergovernmental ticipated in the Panel on Climate Session and in his Change (IPCC-44) remarks expressed, was convened on on behalf of the 17-20 October ECO Secretariat, 2016 in Bangkok, appreciation to Thailand. IPCC Secretariat for During delibera- granting Observer tions and discus- Membership to ECO sions, the Panel and hoped that both agreed on the out- Secretariats cooper- lines of two new ate closely with a reports that will help view to addressing governments imple- the climate change ment the Paris phenomenon in the Climate Change ECO Region. He Agreement. Notably, the Panel in Paris in December 2015, briefed the participants on the approved the Outlines of Special which set a target of limiting ECO projects and activities in Report on the impacts of global global warming to well below terms of climate change and warming of 1.5ºC above pre- 2ºC above pre-industrial levels highlighted that ECO Member industrial levels and related glob- while pursuing efforts to hold it States are already experiencing al greenhouse gas emission the adverse impacts of cli- pathways in the context of mate change, which threaten strengthening the global their endeavors to achieve response to the threats of cli- sustainable development, mate change, sustainable eradicate poverty and ensure development, and efforts to food security. The representa- eradicate poverty, to be deliv- tive of ECO Secretariat also ered in 2018, and the Outline pointed out that ECO can of Methodology Report to play role in regional coordi- Refine the 2006 IPCC nation and coherence on cli- Guidelines for National GHG mate resiliency in post-Paris Inventories, to be finalized in era and share its capacities 2019. The Special Report on to 1.5ºC. with IPCC for enhancement of 1.5ºC was requested by the 21st Mr. Abolfazl Azizipanah, participation of its Member UNFCCC Conference of Parties Programme Officer of States in IPCC activities. CHRONICLE ECO 47 External Relations

ECO Secretariat hosted meeting of regional and sub-regional organizations

The Secretariats of the United Nations Forum on (RECOFTC), Tehran Process Secretariat for Low Forests (UNFF) and the Economic Cooperation Forest Cover Countries (TPS for LFCCs), UNFF Organization (ECO) jointly organized the "Expert and ECO. The Meeting was jointly inaugurated Meeting on Enhancing Regional and Sub-Regional by Dr. Manoel Sobral Filho, Director of the UNFF Involvement in the Work of the International Secretariat and Mr. Seyed Jalaledin Alavi Arrangement on Forests" (IAF) on 26-28 Sabzevari, ECO Deputy Secretary General. September 2016 in the ECO Secretariat, Tehran. Director of UNFF Secretariat in his remarks The Meeting was actively participated by the informed the Meeting on UNFF's overall activities delegates from regional and sub-regional organi- and agenda, including major developments on zations and processes, including UN Economic forests; UN 2030 Development Agenda, key out- Commission for Africa (UNECA), UN Economic comes of the UNFF11 resolution, Paris Commission for Europe (UNECE), Food and Agreement, future IAF Strategic Plan, UNFF orga- Agriculture Organization of the United Nations nizational functions, Global Forest Financing (FAO), African Forest Forum (AFF), African Union Facilitation Network (GFFFN) and Collaborative Commission (AUC), Amazon Cooperation Treaty Partnership on Forests (CPF). Organization(ACTO), Asia-Pacific Network for In his opening remarks, the ECO Deputy Sustainable Forest Management and Secretary General warmly welcomed the partici- Rehabilitation (APFnet), Forest Europe-Liaison pants from regional and sub-regional organiza- Unit Bratislava (FE-LUB), Regional Community tions and processes from different regions across Forestry Training Center for Asia and the Pacific the globe and expressed his profound apprecia- CHRONICLE ECO

48 External Relations

tion to UNFF for excellent preparatory coordination of this event with ECO Secretariat. While ECO underscoring the importance of ECO's partnership with UNFF for advancing regional environmental agenda of the ECO Region through pro- Secretariat moting sustainable forest management, he expressed ECO's readiness to continue collaborative partnership with UNFF and welcomed such attended relationship with other interested regional and sub-regional organizations. In this regard, he also International pointed out that the international community has widely acknowledged ECO as a partner to implement global agenda in this part of the Nanotechnology world. During the 3-day proceedings of the Meeting, Exhibition which was facilitated by the ECO Deputy Secretary General, the participants engaged in detailed interactive discussions and deliberations in Tehran on various key issues, inter alia, enhancing collaboration and engagement of regional and sub- regional organizations and processes in advancing implementation of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, the International Arrangement on Forest, the emerging Strategic Plan for implementation of United Nations Forests Instrument (UNFI), and forest-related SDGs; ways and means to enhance cooperation with UNFF; more effective contribution to High Level Political Forum (HLPF) and modalities for submitting inputs through UNFF; and utilization of available financial mechanisms such as GFFFN, GCF and GEF for overall promotion of The 9th annual nanotechnology festival and sustainable forest management. exhibition was held on 5-8 October in Tehran, After extensive discussions, the Meeting identi- Iran. On the second day of the Exhibition, a special event was held with the participation of fied 13 priority actions for enhancing involve- some Tehran-based ambassadors and represen- ment of regional and sub-regional organizations tatives of the regional and international organi- and processes in the UNFF and IAF Strategic zations in Iran. Plan for 2017-2030, which included, among The Director of Agriculture, tourism and others, initiatives to enhance visibility of regional Industry of ECO Secretariat, Mr. Memduh Unal, and sub regional organizations in forest-related also attended the Event. for establishment of an inter-regional coordina- Dr. Sorena Sattari, the Vice President of the tion mechanism for forest-related exchanges; Islamic Republic of Iran for Science and organization of capacity building activities/events Technology, Dr. Majid Takhteravanchi, Deputy for regional and sub-regional organizations Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Saeid Sarkar, enabling their more effective contributions into the Secretary of Iran Nanotechnology Initiative the implementation of forest related arrange- Council (INIC) addressed the audience of the ments; etc. Event. The Expert Meeting was the first such inter- As per information provided in the Event, agency event on sustainable forest management there has been great performance in recent co-organized and hosted by ECO Secretariat years in the nanotechnology development in involving UN System, and regional and subre- Iran where, among others, academic publica- gional organizations and processes. tion and patent applications in nanotechnology have been increased tremendously. CHRONICLE ECO 49 External Relations

ECO Secretary General co-chaired a High level panel on Water Cooperation Mechanisms ECO attended ACD Ministerial Meeting on Tourism In the context of the UN-sponsored "High-level Symposium on SDG 6 and Targets: Ensuring that No The first Ministerial Meeting on Tourism of the One is Left Behind in Access to Water and Sanitation" Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) was held on 29- held on 9-11 August 2016 in Dushanbe, ECO 30 August 2016 in Tabriz, Iran. The Meeting was Secretary General, H.E. Ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca attended by the delegates from Iran, Pakistan, and Minister of Water and Sanitation of Senegal jointly Tajikistan, Turkey, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, co-chaired on 10 August 2016 one important thematic Bhutan, South Korea, Cambodia, Bangladesh, session of the Symposium on "New and Innovative Thailand, and the Philippines, as well as delegations Water Cooperation Mechanisms for Sustainable from the ECO Secretariat and ACD. Development". First Deputy Minister of Energy and The Senior Officials' Meeting of the ACD Water Resources of Tajikistan and high-level officials Ministerial meeting took place on the 29th August from Morocco, Zambia, UNESCAP, UNESCO and 2016 in Tabriz. The Ministerial Meeting com- OSCE attended the Session as the panelists. The Panel menced its work with the opening remarks by the was moderated by a senior UNESCO official. ACD Secretary General, Mr. Bundit Limschoon, The Session was opened by Co-chair Senegalese who expressed gratitude to the I.R. of Iran and wel- Minister who presented an introduction to the topics comed all the delegations to the City of Tabriz. The for discussions. After a series of presentations by the Meeting, chaired by Mr. Morteza Rahmani panelists followed by questions and answers, the Co- Movahed, the Deputy Head of Iran Cultural chair ECO Secretary General concluded the discussions Heritage, Handicraft and Tourism Organization, and highlighted that (i) all beneficiaries of water (gov- agreed to establish an ACD Working Group on ernments, local authorities, NGO's and public) should Tourism to draft a plan of action on tourism, taking be involved in the water diplomacy process, (ii) as in all into account the sustainable development related thematic sessions suggested, parties should know and goals and targets, and welcomed the initiative share data and information about water issues, (iii) made by Iran to establish the "Joint Tourism capacity building is important, (iv) water policies should Network" to provide a platform for ACD Member be based on technical information rather than political States to share information of tourism destinations, aspects, (v) local, regional, national and international experiences and best practices among tourism projects should be integrated and harmonized, (vi) all stakeholders in the region. It also discussed the policies and projects should be based on sustainability ways and means to promote less-known and concerns. emerging destinations of the Member States. CHRONICLE ECO 50 External Relations ECO The "Regional Platform for strategies for disaster risk Disaster Risk Reduction in reduction and highlighted Central Asia and South Secretariat the need for incorporating Caucasus" was held on 12 disaster risk policies in the July 2016 in Dushanbe, attended the core economic planning of Tajikistan. At the joint invita- the countries. tion by Government of During the Meeting, repre- Republic of Tajikistan and UN Regional sentatives of the participating UN Office for Disaster Risk countries and organizations Reduction (UNISDR), an discussed the optimal ECO Delegation headed by Platform arrangement for the regional Deputy Secretary General, platform for disaster risk Mr. Seyed Jalaledin Alavi reduction in Central Asia Sabzevari attended the for Disaster and South Caucasus (CASC Event. Region) and agreed on the The Meeting was inaugu- Risk principles and approaches to rated by H.E. Mr. Zokizoda be followed. ECO Deputy Mahmadtoir, Deputy Prime Secretary General also Minister of Tajikistan and Reduction in briefed the Meeting about chaired by H.E. Mr. Rustam ECO and its emerging Nazarzoda, Chairman of the Dushanbe regional approach to disaster Committee of Emergency risk reduction in the post Situations of Tajikistan. Mr. Sendai era. He particularly Robert Glasser, the Special reminded that 6 countries of Representative of UN Secretary CASC Region are ECO Member General and the Head of UN States which justifies the merit for Office for Disaster Risk Reduction UNSIDR-ECO potential coopera- (UNISDR) also attended the tion within the Region. Meeting. High level representa- On the sidelines of the Platform tives of the disaster management meeting, the ECO Delegation met organizations from Armenia, with H.E. Mr. Rustam Nazarzoda, Republic of Azerbaijan, the Chairman of the Committee Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, of Emergency Situations of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. Mr. Nazarzoda Uzbekistan as well as senior offi- expressed interest for concrete cials from UN relevant agencies cooperation within ECO context, and other international and regional organizations especially in the areas of training and capacity build- also participated in the Meeting. In his introductory ing for risk management related experts and officials remarks, Mr. Glasser, the Head of UNISDR, gave an of the Member States. He particularly referred to the overview on the way already existing center gone since UN for such purpose in Conference in Sendai Tajikistan where train- in March 2015 and ings have been con- elaborated on the ducted for Afghan rele- importance of the vant experts and offi- regional platform for cials. Mr. Alavi in implementation of the return emphasized that Sendai Framework. He the ECO Secretariat referred to the 2020 will seriously examine target within Sendai the possibility of such Framework for cooperation exploring approval and imple- all available supports mentation of national and facilities. CHRONICLE ECO 51 External Relations

ECO Secretary General attended the UN High-level Symposium on Water and Sanitation in Dushanbe On the invitation of the Highlighting the significance of new and important Government of Republic of initiatives of Tajikistan related to water issues, includ- Tajikistan, the ECO Secretary ing the announcement of a new International Decade General, H.E. Ambassador Halil under the motto "Water for Sustainable Ibrahim Akca and his delegation Development", put forward in April 2015, President participated in the "High-level Rahmon expressed hope that such an initiative, if Symposium on SDG 6 and supported by the international community, would Targets: Ensuring that No One is help attract more comprehensive attention to the Left Behind in Access to Water implementation of the SDG 6 and its targets. and Sanitation" held on 9-11 The President also said that the "High-Level Panel August 2016 in Dushanbe. The on Water" was established at the beginning of this Symposium was chaired by the year by the initiative of the UN Secretary General Prime Minister of Republic of with involvement of the Heads of ten UN member Tajikistan, H.E. Mr. Qohir states, including Tajikistan, as well as the President of Rasulzoda. the World Bank. In this regard, it was hoped that the President of Republic of Panel would play a significant role as a platform for Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali discussion and consideration of the key global issues Rahmon formally opened the on water. President Emomali Rahmon suggested that Symposium with his address to the during the review of SDG 6, constant attention high level participants. should be given to the negative impacts of climate CHRONICLE ECO 52 External Relations

change on water resources that may impede our agement; exchange of knowledge efforts in achieving SDGs; and to the growth of the and experience in innovative world population and increasing demand in water practices to improve access to resources; gender aspect in water resources manage- water, sanitation and hygiene; ment; and transnational water cooperation that is one improving water use efficiency; of the key factors to ensure peace, stability, and devel- reducing water pollution; protec- opment. tion of watersheds and ecosys- ECO Secretary General also made a statement at the tems; and promoting international opening ceremony of the Symposium and commend- cooperation and partnership, ed the Government of Republic of Tajikistan, UN development of regional and mul- Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) tilateral cooperation, and the pro- and other Organizers of the Event and underscored motion of specific partnerships to that in 2015, UN Member States reached historic implement SDG 6 and its targets. agreement and set 2030 Agenda, covering all dimen- At the Closing Session, co- sions of sustainable development. Sustainable chaired by the Prime Minister of Development Goal 6 is the centre of this new devel- Tajikistan and UN Assistant opment agenda. He highlighted that ECO is commit- Secretary General, an outcome ted to the Sustainable Development Goal 6, as this document "Dushanbe Call for specific agenda is especially relevant for our ECO Action" was adopted by acclama- Member States because our region is home to approx- tion. imately 7% of the total world's population with an During the visit to Dushanbe, the annual expected increase rate of 2 percent. Hence, it ECO delegation had a series of is of paramount importance that water, sanitation and bilateral talks and contacts with hygiene are integrated into governmental policies and representatives of different inter- plans in the Region. Our shared prosperity and future national and regional organiza- growth depends very directly on water availability and tions and institutions, including equitable access to water, and as indicated in the UNESCAP, SCO and FAO, as well Water Development Report of 2016, access to clean as International Network of Basin and affordable water supports health, livelihoods and Organization (NGO). During the the economy, while also creating decent jobs. talks the issue of providing techni- The Symposium was attended by over 700 high-level cal support for establishment of representatives from ninety (90) countries from across ECO Water Centre in Islamabad the world, as well as representatives from 47 interna- was discussed where the willing- tional and regional organizations. ness were expressed for providing The Symposium discussed issues such as capacity- support to the Centre. building of national governments and local authorities in the promotion of integrated water resources man- CHRONICLE ECO 53 External Relations ECO and UNISDR ECO- discussions on future IDB-FAO cooperation Trilateral Consultative Meeting in Islamabad

During his visit to Dushanbe to attend the "Central Asia and South Caucasus Regional Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction", the ECO Deputy Secretary General Mr. Seyed Jalaledin Alavi Sabzevari held on 11 July 2016 bilateral talks with Mr. Robert Glasser, the Special Representative of UN Secretary General and the Head of UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNIS- DR). At the beginning of the Meeting, Mr. Alavi gave an overview about ECO and its range of activities. He further referred to the mandate given by ECO Member States to have A trilateral consultative meeting regional cooperation on disaster risk reduction, including in the between ECO, IDB and FAO was implementation of the Sendai Framework in the ECO Region. convened on 26 July 2016 on the He shared with the UN Official some areas of possible cooper- sidelines of the 2nd Working ation where ECO -UNISDR partnership may be explored. Group Meeting on the Mr. Glasser in return highlighted the core mission of the Establishment of ECO Center of UNISDR, particularly in the post Sendai era which focuses Excellence for Efficient Water mainly on coordinating the pragmatic implementation of the Utilization for Agriculture (ECO- Sendai Framework 2015 - 2030 in line with national and inter- CEEWUA) in Islamabad, Islamic national agendas, including SDGs. He further acknowledged Republic of Pakistan. The IDB and ECO as a supporting leverage for UNISDR in fulfilling its agen- FAO delegations were represented da in this region. He also emphasized on the need to make by IDB Filed Representative Mr. coherence between SDGs and Sendai Framework as well as Inamullah Khan, and Deputy FAO the need to incorporate disaster risk reduction in the core eco- Representative Dr. Francisco nomic planning at the national and regional levels within ECO. Gamarro, respectively. Mr. Both sides further exchanged views and information with a Memduh Unal, Director for view to identifying areas of bilateral cooperation in the years to Agriculture, Industry and Tourism come. They also discussed the need for revisiting the existing led the ECO delegation. MoU in line with the new regional and global trends and During the Meeting, three sides requirements. discussed extensively issues of CHRONICLE ECO 54 External Relations ECO common interest and future part- attended the nership among the respective organizations in the area of agri- Asia Partnership culture and water conservation in the ECO Region. ECO Director, while briefing on Meeting on ECO's state of play in agriculture and water spheres, profoundly thanked the FAO and IDB for Disaster Risk their consistent support to ECO in different areas of cooperation and sought both organizations' techni- Reduction cal and financial support to ECO The Asia Partnership Meeting (IAP) was organized by UNISDR for further enhancing capacity Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific on 21-22 June in Bangkok, building in the ECO Member Thailand. At the invitation of the UNISDR (United Nations Office States. for Disaster Risk Reduction), ECO Secretariat attended the It was also decided to circulate Meeting, where participants from national governments; Asian the amended "Project Proposal for regional intergovernmental organizations including ASEAN, SAARC conducting a Feasibility Study for and ECO; United Nations bodies; NGOs and civil society organi- Establishment of the ECO- zations; private sector; scientific and academic community and CEEWUA" to the ECO Member media also participated. States with three week deadline The IAP is a multi-stakeholder forum with the role of facilitating to get their views as well as coun- the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk tries' background information. Reduction 2015-2030 in the Asia region. During the two-day dis- The background information cussions and exchanges, the participants discussed the revised ver- was suggested to contain (i) water sion of the Asia Regional Plan for disaster risk reduction. In his and agriculture status of the coun- statement as well as interventions in the deliberations of the tries; (ii) a clear policy and strate- Meeting, Mr. Javad Heidari from the ECO Secretariat shared with gy statement of the individual the participants information about the disaster-related situations in countries, and (iii) specific recom- the ECO Region and briefed them on the ongoing process of mendations and suggestions. developing a framework for regional cooperation on disaster risk Both FAO and IDB delegations reduction, including the implementation of the Sendai Framework assured ECO of their continued in the ECO Region. Representative of the ECO Secretariat also had support to ECO's regional initia- informal discussions with representatives from some ECO Member tives and projects in water and States, UN bodies and international and regional organizations on agriculture as well as to enhance possible technical and capacity building cooperation on the disas- partnership and further strength ter risk reduction matters. ECO Ministerial Meeting on Disaster institutional linkages in future. Risk Reduction is scheduled to be held in Turkey later this year to adopt ECO regional framework on disaster risk reduction. CHRONICLE ECO 55 External Relations The Chinese Think-Tank Visited the ECO Secretariat

A delegation from the "Shanghai ty to establish ECO-China coopera- Academy of Social Sciences" tion. He also referred to China's (SASS) paid a visit to the ECO interest in Afghanistan develop- Secretariat in Tehran on 13 June ment which also offers basis for 2016. During the visit, the delega- cooperation. tion led by the SASS President Secretary General briefed about Professor WANG zhan, had talks ECO involvement in some recon- with ECO Secretary General struction projects as well as a drug- Ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca trafficking related project in and other ECO Officials. At the Afghanistan. Referring to SASS beginning of the meeting, nature of activities, Secretary Professor WANG presented a brief access to Europe and other global General underlined that there has introduction about the "Shanghai markets. ECO Deputy Secretary been no research relation between Academy of Social Sciences" (SASS), General Mr. Mangi also presented a ECO and China yet and ECO is its structure and activities. He general overview about the different interested to engage in such coop- informed that SASS is one of the ECO transport corridors which may eration. He also referred to recent biggest think-tank in China with 17 be of interest to China. Referring to contacts between ECO and Chinese research institutes, including three studies conducted so far on these authorities on possible operational economic research institutes corridors, he particularly highlighted cooperation in connectivity areas. ("Institute of Economics, "Institute of the need for some studies on the SASS President highlighted the National Economy", and "Institute of commercial viability of the corri- importance of transport for eco- World Economy"). SASS has work- dors. nomic development and recalled ing relations with more than 40 like The SASS President acknowledged that research and investment in institutes worldwide. Outputs and the existing bases for bilateral coop- transport sector in some Chinese findings of the SASS works and proj- eration and referred to overlapping provinces resulted in GDP increase ects are normally submitted to the membership of ECO countries in of the province. He then referred to government. other regional arrangements, such the Silk Road Economic Belt initia- The ECO Secretary General in as Eurasian Economic Union, tive (one belt, one road initiative) return presented an overview about Shanghai Cooperation and underlined that cooperation the ECO and its activities. He men- Organization, etc., as an opportuni- with ECO can be realized under tioned that this context. He also Organization is informed about an focusing on econom- existing project on ic cooperation "one belt, one road among its 10 database" were Member States with cooperation with priority areas of ECO on statistics trade, transport and can be established. energy. Given the At the end of the geographical location visit, both sides of ECO, China has agreed to continue always been impor- exchanges with a tant for our Region. view to identifying In transport and tran- areas for real coop- sit, ECO corridors are eration. facilitating China CHRONICLE ECO 56 External Relations ECO and Energy Charter Secretariats Exchange Observership

Following a tive markets and series of interac- sustainable devel- tions and joint opment. initiatives, ECO The Energy Secretariat and Charter Energy Charter Conference Secretariat enjoys the status reached the point of inter-govern- of institutionaliza- mental organization of their relation which com- tionship, as Energy Charter Conference grant- prises the representatives of the Energy Charter ed observership to the ECO and the upcoming Contracting Parties and serves as the governing ECO Council of Ministers will formally grant and decision-making body for the Energy ECO observership to Energy Charter Charter process. The Energy Charter Secretariat. Eight ECO Member States are Conference has 54 members and 34 Members of the Energy Charter Conference observers. 12 international organizations are while Pakistan and Iran are observers. also observers to the Conference. Energy Charter Secretariat has already Turkmenistan, an ECO Member State, is the engaged with some ECO Member States in Chairman of the Energy Charter Conference in various initiatives which can be extended to 2017. other ECO Member States. The ongoing ECO Established ECO-ECT relationship on the initiative to establish regional electricity market basis of reciprocal observership could facilitate also provides promising area for ECO-ECT exchange of information and experiences on bilateral cooperation. issues of common interest in the energy sector, European Energy Charter (1991), Energy which is one of the priorities of the ECO. Charter Treaty (1994) and International Energy It could also offer immense opportunities in Charter (2015) are part of Energy Charter capacity building and promoting energy/elec- Process providing an international framework tricity trade, investment and transit. for cross-border cooperation in the energy sec- The Energy Charter is the first international tor based on the principles of open, competi- organization granted observership in the ECO. CHRONICLE ECO 57 External Relations

ECO Secretariat attended UIC Regional Assembly for Middle East Railways

Ambassador

of the The "17th UIC Regional Assembly for Middle East (RAME) Railways" was held on 3rd June 2016 in Istanbul. The Assembly was attended by Mr. Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, Director General of Philippines the International Union of Railways (UIC); Mr. Mohsen Pour Seyed Aghaei, President of the Iranian Railways (RAI), Mr. Isa Apaydin, President of Board and Director General of Turkish visited Railways (TCDD), and Ms. Zukhra Abisheva from the ECO Secretariat. The Assembly was briefed by representative of the ECO Secretariat on ECO's railway corridor-oriented activities and the ECO plans supplementing and correlating with the objectives of the MoU between ECO and UIC. The "UIC Regional Assembly Middle-East" is covering one of Secretariat the regions with the most ambitious rail development plans and the most promising perspectives for rail. Examples supporting the above, according to UIC Director General, are the high speed H.E. Mr. Eduardo Martin R. Meñez, rail developments in Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia; the improve- Ambassador of the Philippines in the ment of freight lines and multimodal services in the entire Islamic Republic of Iran paid a visit to region; as well as projects of long distance corridors, e.g. along the ECO Secretariat on 18th July 2016 the new Silk Road. On the other hand, the region is marked and met with the ECO Secretary more than ever by divisions, crisis, international tensions and General, H.E. Mr. Halil Ibrahim Akca. instability. During the Meeting the two sides Through the implementation of its RAME Action Plan, UIC reviewed ECO-ASEAN relationship. intends to support all members in their efforts to improve their effectiveness and competitiveness and successfully cope with The Philippine Ambassador also current and future challenges of efficiency, safety and security, raised the possibility of a joint ASEAN- digitalization, sustainability, standardization and interoperability, ECO Ministerial Meeting on the side- particularly in view of international corridors. lines of United Nations General It is to be reminded that the railway entities of six ECO Assembly in New York. The Philippines Member States are considered as active/associate Members to serves as the relevant ASEAN country UIC and Iran and Turkey are the most active members of the coordinator. UIC Middle East Office. CHRONICLE ECO 58 External Relations

ECO Certificates ECO will presented in sign MoU the Khwarizmi International with Award WIPO The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have finalized a text of Memorandum of Understating which elaborates their working relationship in future. The text, developed through bilateral exchanges, was reviewed by the ECO Council of Permanent Representatives (CPR) in its 219th session on 20 February 2017, where authorization was given by the Member States to ECO Secretariat to enter into signing stage of the Document.

WIPO is one of the UN agencies with 189 member states established in 1967 to develop and support an effective international intellectual property system which promotes innovation and creativity in a balance manner. WIPO headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland.

The 30th Khwarizmi International Award ceremony was held on 13 February 2014 in Tehran. As practice in the previous Award ceremonies, ECO certificates were presented to 4 winners in the fields of "Applied Science" and "Research and Development". The Award is named after prominent Iranian mathematician and astronomer of the 7th century Mohammad-Ibn- Musa Khwarizmi. CHRONICLE ECO 59 60 ECO CHRONICLE tion forthisinterview. was sokindtoacceptourinvita- Cooperation Organization. He intheEconomic Representative Permanenting ashiscountry ofIran.Republic Heisalsoserv- Turkish AmbassadorintheIslamic Turkey, IranandPakistan created Ambassador RizaHakanTekin is Interview ECO Chronicle: Representative of H.E. Mr. RizaHakanTekin Turkey inECO In 1964, Permanent Interview with and takingnecessarystepsin ing inaneraofrapidchanges works? cooperation withinECOframe- interest inregionaleconomic Turkeystill isdriving, tomaintain and in 1985.Whatwasdriving, decided topromoteRCDECO years, thesethreecountries Development" (RCD).In20 "Regional Cooperationfor a cooperationframeworkcalled Ambassador: We areliv- its productiveandpromising huge potentialfortradethanksto Furthermore, ECORegionhasa important partofthisapproach. national institutionsconstitutesan cy andjoining/establishinginter- multidimensional economicpoli- pursues adynamic,visionaryand TurkeyWith thisunderstanding, is animportanttaskforallofus. these changesanddevelopments keeping upwiththepaceof Interview

strengthening ECO-BANK and effective implementation of Transit Transport Framework geography and the only way to Agreement (TTFA) and as Turkey, 2017 in Islamabad. This will be realize our capacity is to enhance we will continue our efforts to an important gathering, the first our intra-regional trade. With this boost cooperation in all these one since 2012 when they met in belief and with the aim of provid- fields, just like we have been Baku Summit. What is Turkey's ing the ground for a sustainable doing so far. expectation from the Summit? economic development by func- Considering the strategic loca- tionalizing the resources and tion of the ECO Region, having Ambassador: We should potentials in the Region, we integrated transport systems and work much harder to deepen our became one of the founding effective transport corridors, cooperation through strengthen- members of the ECO along with building an electricity market ing our economic and commer- Pakistan and Iran. within the ECO Region, enhanc- cial ties for sustained economic ing intra-regional trade and ener- developments and we have to ECO Chronicle: ECO gy corridors are among urgent further strengthen our present Vision 2025 will be soon adopted necessities. That's why we have achievements. For this purpose, by ECO leaders in Islamabad. been actively taking part in all the ECO needs to be transformed Expansion of intra-regional trade relevant gatherings under the into a more focused and enhancing transport and ECO framework and hosted sev- Organisation. In this context, high energy connectivity seem to eral meetings and will continue level meetings like ECO Summit maintain their values and rele- doing so. I also want to highlight and the Meeting of Council of vance for regional cooperation Ministers are important in terms within the context of the new of increasing ECO's functionality. Vision. As one of the leading We expect and also believe that ECO countries in trade and con- the 13th ECO Summit will be a nectivity cooperation, how do platform which will create a syn- you see Turkey's contribution to ergy and dynamism within the and impact on these areas of Organisation and a platform that regional cooperation in the all Member Countries will show Vision's time span? their willingness to continue cooperation within the Region. Ambassador: Considering the rapid socio-economic devel- ECO Chronicle:Thank opments with both the opportu- you for your time. As final nities and challenges in the words, we would be happy to world, it is very crucial to have a that Turkey is financing % 22 of hear if you wish to share with our vision document which will be a the ECO budget along with Iran readers any other relevant issue. sign of our will to continue coop- and Pakistan and in the last eration in many different fields. decade, our total trade with the Ambassador: The region We attach utmost importance to ECO Member States has we live in is a special attraction the ECO Vision 2025, because increased from 7 billion US centre endowed with plenty of we believe it will effectively guide Dollars to 18 billion US Dollars, resources and potentials and it is our cooperation efforts in the which is a concrete sign of our in our hands to benefit adequate- near future. As you mentioned, contribution and impact on the ly from these opportunities by enhancing the cooperation of ECO Region. With the implemen- enhancing effective intra-regional regional trade, transport and tation of the above-mentioned cooperation and ECO is a great energy matters will continue to projects, we believe our trading entity for this end. So, hereby, I be an important part of the volume will even be higher and it want to convey my sincere Vision 2025. In this context, new will contribute to the well-being thanks to every person and insti- Vision will give a fresh impetus to of all peoples of the ECO mem- tution who actively makes effort very important projects including ber countries. in this regard. the realization of ECOTA, ECO Chronicle: Heads of State and Government of the Member States will meet in "13th ECO Summit" in early March CHRONICLE ECO

61 62 ECO CHRONICLE Interview Interview withMr. GaryLewis organization withclearmandate in Nations istheleadinginternational ECO Chronicleforaninterview. kindly acceptedinvitationbythe resident CoordinatorinIran. He astheUnitedNations He alsoserves Programme (UNDP)officeinTehran. United NationsDevelopment Mr. Lewis istheheadof Gary ECO Chronicle: UN Resident Coordinator in Tehran The United regard? UN envisageforregionalorganizations inthis which UNiscurrentlypushing for?Whatroledoes elaborate moreonthe"developmentparadigm" Development Goals". Development Goals"andnow"Sustainable such as"SustainableDevelopment","Millennium followed byaseriesofnewconceptsandtrends development wereintroducedforthatpurpose, the planet.Four UNinternationaldecades for fostering humandevelopmentincountriesacross As theUNtoprepresentativeinIran,wouldyou Interview

Mr. Gary Lewis: You're right. The global level economic development and understanding of how to secure human develop- prosperity. Iran is among the largest ment has changed over the years. Countries now economies in the ECO region. UNDP agree that sustainable development offers the best has recently concluded UNDAF path forward for improving the lives of people 2017-2021 with Iran. Are there any everywhere. As you know, on 25 September 2015 particular activities/sectors in the at the UN Sustainable Development Summit, in UNDAF with direct and indirect New York, the countries of the world adopted a set regional implications? of goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Mr. Gary Lewis: I'm glad you have referred to the United Nations Development is one of the four UN Charter pri- Development Assistance Framework. orities. It sits alongside peace, justice, and human We call it our UNDAF. It's a joint rights. But among all these goals, a great deal of agreement between the UN agencies the UN's efforts and a huge slice of its funding is and the Government of Iran. The devoted to the Charter's pledge to "promote higher UNDAF covers the key priorities standards of living, full employment, and condi- which the UN - as a whole - will tions of economic and social progress and develop- undertake in the coming 5 years with ment". Which means "development". A large num- Iran. The period between 2017 and ber of UN Agencies and programmes undertake 2021. So it isn't really a UNDP doc- work for development in the region in partnership ument as such. But UNDP is certain- with governments, regional organisations and ly one of the many UN agencies in NGOs. Here in Iran, we have 18 UN agencies Iran who have signed up to the most of which are working to promote human UNDAF. The UNDAF brings coher- development. ence to the UN's development work in Iran, because there are so many The UN works both with national governments agencies involved. And because it and through organizations. In fact, our Charter - in has been agreed with the govern- Chapter VIII - Regional Arrangements - pushes us ment. As a result, UNDP itself has to try to final solutions also at the regional level. built the key elements of its own This is really important as we are trying to solve Country Programme with Iran direct- problems which easily go beyond borders. ly from the UNDAF. That's how the Problems like environmental threats, climate UNDAF works. change, the spread of diseases like tuberculosis and malaria. Problems like refugee movement and Within this new framework, there drug trafficking. are actually a few areas which hold the prospect of regional cooperation. This is the reason why regional organizations, like The two main examples are the envi- ECO, have played and will continue to play essen- ronment and drug control. tial roles in the region, particularly in the area of development. I am pleased to say that over the Let's focus first on environment. years, cooperation between the UN and regional Many of the key environmental chal- organizations has intensified and I look forward to lenges which Iran faces need to be strengthening such collaboration, including the one solved with regional cooperation. we have with ECO. Take the problem of sand and dust storms. The only way this can be solved is through cooperation with ECO Chronicle: ECO is among the largest the countries which are producing regional arrangements in the world. A territory of 8 the sand and dust storms. million square kilometres and with more than 440 Countries like Iraq, Syria and Saudi million inhabitants, the ECO region connects China Arabia. But Iran is itself also a source with Europe and Russia with Persian Gulf. It pos- country for sand and dust storms sesses abundant natural and human resources as which affect parts within its own bor- well as huge untapped investment and business ders and then which blow into opportunities for the outside world. ECO countries Afghanistan and Pakistan. Such are striving individually and regionally for a higher regional problems need to be CHRONICLE ECO 63 Interview

addressed at a regional level. speed of this progress is taking too long to materi- alize. But it will come. And when it comes it will Iran has been a strong and valuable focus, I believe, on foreign investment, opportunity partner - for years and years - in the for Iran to compete in the international market, fight against the trafficking of nar- access to development finance, and so on. cotics and precursor chemicals which are used to make the drugs. I know Iran has a lot of advantages. It has a vast natural this from personal experience when I resource endowment - talking mainly of oil and used to work for the UN drug control natural gas. It can draw heavily upon its large, agency many years ago in young, tech-savvy and growing population. The Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. The diversified Iranian economy will, I believe, benefit UN system in Iran will offer contin- increasingly from the Government's reform agenda. ued support to the Government Post-sanctions, the projected rising incomes and efforts in relation to regional and improved purchasing power will strengthen the international drug control coopera- already large urban middle class. Sure there are tion efforts. economic barriers, but the overall trend I see is towards greater openness. Trade and investment In the new era of cooperation will benefit from sectoral reform packages. which has been brought on by the Nuclear Deal, the UN in Iran will So, an optimistic scenario would foresee a rapid continue to serve as a bridge recovery in oil export volumes, drawing - as I said - between the regional community and on the country's large and underexploited oil and the international community - and gas reserves. This will prompt a resurgence in con- Iran. The problems Iran faces - and sumer spending and officially-backed trade. And the mega problems which the region these, in turn, would, following current trends, faces - are simply too huge to be allow the Islamic Republic of Iran to become one dealt with anything less than full of the fastest growing economies in the Middle regional cooperation - and South- East. If not the fastest. South Cooperation efforts. We look to ECO and other regional institu- In all this, Iran will present opportunities for col- tions to play their part as well. laboration on pressing issues within the region. Many of these include trade and investment. But many go beyond such things. For in a region ECO Chronicle: UNDP is the where there many countries in conflict, Iran repre- important UN development network sents a zone of stability - good infrastructure - good helping countries to realize their health care - good education - and a place where development aspirations, including things work. through developing the needed policies and capacities. You are the Chief This will give Iran the opportunity to enhance UNDP officer in charge of Iran. You diplomacy and find common ground. Iran now have extensive knowledge and expe- has opportunity to cooperate with countries within rience about Iran's economy as well the region with the aim of bringing stability to the as its development polices. There is Middle East. an opinion that the post sanctions era will not only bring more opportunities and choices for Iran's own ECO Chronicle: ECO and UN system have development but also will benefit the established relations since long. There are several international community. Do you see cooperation arrangements and MoUs in place any possible impacts on the neigh- between ECO and UN agencies. UN General bouring countries? Assembly adopts every two years a resolution on UN and ECO cooperation which specifies the areas of cooperation. Mr. Gary Lewis: I believe that In the post 2015 and SDGs era, how in your the post-sanctions era will certainly opinion ECO and UN can revisit their established bring about significant opportunities relations with a view to making necessary stream- to Iran. We are already starting to lining and fine-tuning? see the glimmerings of this. But the CHRONICLE ECO 64 Interview

Mr. Gary Lewis: The Sustainable supporting the global effort towards the achieve- Development Goals (SDGs) are built on the suc- ment of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable cesses of the Millennium Development Goals Development Goals. (MDGs). And enormous progress was made under the MDGs. The number of people lifted up out of To do so, regional organizations can prioritize sus- poverty. Great gains in education and life tainable development through implementation of expectancy, for example. Including here in Iran. regional agreements, and exchange of information, This shows the value of a global development best practices, and lessons learnt. agenda. The new SDGs, and the broader sustainability agenda, go much further than the MDGs, The United Nations and regional addressing the root causes of organizations in many ways have poverty, the uni- unique and complimentary capacities that when properly coordi- nated, can produce good results.

ECO Chronicle: Thank you very much for your time.

versal need for development the way in which we must partner to address challenges that transcend borders.

In all this, I believe that there is a key role for regional organisations - organizations like ECO - to play in CHRONICLE ECO 65 Report

Preparatory work for 13th ECO summit Islamic Republic of Iran (current ECO Chairman) and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (upcoming ECO Chairman). The prepcom was assigned to make all substan- tive preparations for the Summit and the 22nd meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers (COM), to be convened on 28th February in Islamabad. The prepcom addressed wide range of issues, including draft agenda of the meetings, draft Islamabad Declaration, reform in the Organization, new scale of assessments, new ECO In run-up to the 13th ECO Vision 2025 and its implementation frameworks, Summit on 1st March 2017 in etc. Islamabad, the Council of The prepcom convened 10 meetings in the Permanent Representatives course of January and February 2017 in the ECO (CPR) established an open- Secretariat. The prepcom progress reports were ended Preparatory Committee regularly submitted to the CPR meetings convened (prepcom) chaired by the to facilitate preparatory process for the 13th CHRONICLE ECO 66 Report

Summit/22nd COM meetings. Some areas of criti- and Fine Arts", "Science and cal nature were also left to be finalized during the Technology", "Education", and Senior Officials meeting, scheduled for 26-27 "Agriculture and Environment". February in Islamabad. Following formal designation of The CPR also reached the agreement to recom- the winners by the Council of mend to the COM meeting granting observer sta- Mininsters, the awards would be tus to Energy Charter Secretariat(ECT), the first granted to the winners during an international organization assuming ECO observer- official ceremony on the side- ship. lines of the Summit. The prepcom also convened two meetings in the The 12th ECO Summit was capacity of the Selection Committee for ECO held in October 2012 in Baku. Awards 2017 where winners were selected from The 21st COM meeting was held among the candidates nominated by the Member in November 2013 in Tehran. States in the fields of "History, Culture, Literature CHRONICLE ECO 67 Report

On-Grid Solar Power Plant in the premises of ECO Secretariat Mr. Djalynbek Turgumbaev

The share of renewable energy solar photovoltaics and wind). From a technical sources in total power generation is perspective, VRE generation can be ideally com- growing steadily both in developed bined with smart grid technologies, energy storage and developing countries. Numerous and more flexible generation technologies. countries all over the world have ambitious targets to transform their Progressive clean energy and innovative policies power sector towards renewables. and programmes drive up adoption of renewable Renewable energy technologies are energy technologies, creating markets for solar and usually classified into two categories: other clean technologies. These technologies across dispatchable (i.e. biomass, concen- the globe have matured from new, pilot stage proj- trated solar power with storage, geot- ects to well-established hermal power and hydro) and non- commercial products. dispatchable, also The Bloomberg 2030 known as Variable Market Outlook Renewable Energy or states that by VRE (i.e. ocean power, CHRONICLE ECO 68 Report

2030, the world`s power mix will have trans- Why Solar Energy? formed - from today`s system with two-thirds fossil Every hour the sun beams onto fuels to one with over half from zero-emission Earth more than enough energy to energy sources. satisfy global energy needs for an entire year. The vast majority of sci- entists assume that continuing to ECO Region enjoys huge potential of renewable depend on fossil fuels could cause energy sources, notably hydro, solar, wind, geot- grave environmental consequences in hermal and biomass. Growing interest of ECO the future. Member States in renewables is in line with particular complementary role of the renewable energy in ECO`s overall energy mandate. Given the ever There are many justifications increasing share and dynamics of renewable ener- in using solar energy, in partic- gy sources in the global energy mix, ECO continues ular: to add more weight to its profile on renewables and alternative energy sources. It is a clean, reliable, indigenous, affordable, sustainable and embraced

In the light of aforementioned and in view of the importance of pilot projects utilizing good practices and existing technologies, ECO Secretariat strives to underline the special and increasing role of renewable energy resources in complementing conventional energy sources in order to support sustainable energy development. Taking into account the growing efforts by the Islamic Republic of Iran for an accelerated deployment of renewable energy sources, the Directorate of Energy, Minerals and Environment of the ECO Secretariat, in cooperation with Iran Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Management Company (TAVANIR) and Renewable Energy Organization of Iran (SUNA) initiated a pilot proposal for possible installation of solar rooftop panels in the Secretariat's premises in Tehran. This pilot project was generously financed by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and implemented by TAVANIR, SUNA, Power Distribution Company of Tehran, as well as Solar source of energy that can be used to Baad Energy Company. power homes, buildings and busi- nesses globally; CHRONICLE ECO 69 Report

It is getting cheaper and cheap- 58 (pieces) er; It meets the Paris Agreement Grid Connected Inverter: goals and forestalls the worst effects 1(piece),10kW, three phases SMA of climate change; 1 (piece), 5kW, three phases SMA

It secures investment and return; Annual Electricity production: 24000 (kWh) It is a potential solution to the environmental problems being CO2 reduced: caused by fossil fuels; 16.6 (Ton)

It is noise free; Oil reserved: 6100 (Liter) It contains a versatile technology catching the next technological boom Equivalent to the trees which as it is about reducing greenhouse need to absorb the CO2: gases, helping and saving the envi- 420 (pieces) ronment;

It sustains a long lifetime (over The installation of On-Grid Solar Power Plant 20 years. with 58 Solar Panels, 2 inverters with total capacity of 15kW in the premises of ECO Secretariat has ECO solar power plant: been completed and the Plant became operational Features in December 2016, which contributes to generat- ing green electricity and saves Secretariat's power Solar panel: consumption. CHRONICLE ECO 70 Report

Conclusion well as attract additional finance for future renewable projects in ECO This showcase project, which symbolizes the very Member States. objective of ECO in promoting renewable/energy efficiency, will lead to better design the replicable ...... and/or scalable projects for improvement of energy About the author: Mr. Djalynbek access; shape ECO`s relevant activities to identify Turgumbaev is the & programme officer in the Directorate for Energy, Minerals and potential partnerships with public and private Environment in the ECO Secretariat actors to facilitate renewable energy investment; as CHRONICLE ECO 71 Publications Fifteen Years of Cooperation and Development (2000-2015) ECO Economic Review

Review by: Mr. Muhammad Safdar

The "Economic Cooperation Organization: Fifteen Years of Cooperation and Development (2000-2015), Economic Review 2017", which is launched at the eve of the 13th ECO Summit, reviews the economic performance of the region in the expanded period of 2000-2015 and Region's achievements made through cooperation amongst the Member States. Annual Economic Report 2015, the pre- mier regular publication of the Organization, is the other part of the publication. The publication is the first ever document in the Organization's annals detailing performance and progress through economic review covering fifteen years period of collaboration of the Member States to achieve its primary objectives. This report is will help the governments of the ECO Member Countries to make informed decisions on the basis of present realities and performance made in last fifteen years. of 4.49 per cent per annum during the period. The performance is commend- Apart from standard economic indicators/variables, three able in relation to the world's average of additional indicators have been added to the analysis; fac- 2.78 percent per annum, considering tor of oil prices, exchange rate and dependence on natural the fact that the Region faced economic resources due to particular importance of these variables and political challenges during the ref- for the resource rich-region. The progress of Member erence period. On account of per capita States in some international indices has also been added income, the Region has advanced by to complement the analysis. Recognizing the fact that the 2.61 percent which is appreciative con- regionalism has gained prominence in recent times, com- sidering the population increase of the parison of the ECO Region has been made with other Region was by 1.8 percent per annum. comparable economic blocs to assess the ECO performance vis-a-vis these blocs for benchmarking and contextu- Performance is notable in increase in alizing. total trade and FDI inflows to the Region which edged up by 9.54 percent The over-arching result of the Review is that the Region and 17.84 percent respectively, acceler- has made significant advances in combined GDP by attain- ating the economic activity in the ing about US$2 trillion in 2015 from US$ 1 trillion in Region. As a result of this performance, 2000, mainly on the back of substantial real growth rate the Region increased its share in the CHRONICLE ECO 72 Publications

iii.By and large, production structure of the Region underwent transformation manifesting appreciable expansion in services sector from increasing its share from 53.58 percent to 58.31 percent, during the period, thus gaining on other sectors (agriculture and industry) of economy, invariably in all economies. Conversely, percent- world GDP from 2.06 percent in 2000 age share of agriculture sector came down by 2.45 percent to 2.63 percent in 2015 along with (from 13.92 to 11.47 percent) while industry's share Region's trade share to the total world declined by 2.28 percent (from 32.49 percent to 30.22 trade increasing to 2.10 percent in 2015 percent). The pronounced change was greater in resource compared with 1.41 percent in 2000. based economies. The document further reveals that the iv.Per capita GDP (real) recorded an average growth of paths of individual countries were 2.61 percent while per capita GDP PPP terms showed marked by fluctuations and 'diverse almost the same average of 2.99 percent along with trends and patterns', resulting in sec- improvement in ranking of some Member States particu- toral changes in the economies. All larly resource rich economies. these developments need to be evaluat- ed considering the fact that the Region v.Though economic growth rates have signs of improve- faced economic and political challenges ments after the global economic slowdown but high during the reference period. Some fur- unemployment especially of female labour force persists ther highlights are outlined as under: despite heavy investment inflows and economic activity in the Region. Labour force growth rate exceeds population i.The ECO Region's average real GDP growth rate in all Member States. The unemployment growth rate 4.49 percent exceeded the rates, coupled with low labour participation and absorp- world average of 2.78 percent in most tion rates, though differing widely among economies, have of the years and followed the similar not seen any appreciable improvement over the period. pattern with an exception in 2012 when vi.Natural resources, human resources, exports, manu- sanctions on Iran resulted in huge facturing and agriculture sectors have been major drivers decline in the economic growth of the of economic growth in the Region through FDI inflows Country and effected the growth rate of (from US$3.2 billion to 37.7 billion, an 11 times increase) ECO Region signifying that the Region's during the reference period. Most countries have liberal- economy is synchronized and integrat- ized their foreign direct investment (FDI) regimes and pur- ed with the world economy, benefiting sued investment-friendly economic policies and provided from surge in global growth and, at the enabling environment to attract investment which to large same time, vulnerable to shocks from extent remained successful. As a result, there have also it. The healthy growth rates resulted in been turn around in individual economies. an increase in the share of ECO GDP to the world GDP reflecting the strength vii.Economic activity and government revenues in natural of fundamentals of the ECO economies. resource-rich economies, namely, Republic of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan depend ii.The growth trajectories of natural substantively on oil, gas and minerals' revenues and there- resource rich economies were marked fore remain volatile which is evident from trend of major by wide fluctuations (minus 6.61 per- economic indicators such as economic growth rates, com- cent for Iran in 2012 to envious 34.50 position of GDP/production structure, FDI inflows, inter- percent for Republic of Azerbaijan in national reserves. 2006), mainly due to dependence on revenues from oil and gas which has viii.During 2000-2015, volume of trade expanded from seen its peak price (US$109.49/barrel) US$175 billion to US$688 billion and share in the global in 2012 and floor price (US$49.49/bar- trade increased from 1.7 percent to 2.10 percent. Exports rel) in 2015. Though there have been rose from US$83 billion to US$319 billion while imports striking similarities in growth patterns registered growth from US$92 billion to US$368 billion of natural resource rich economies, (both increased almost three times). Trade deficit persisted growth trajectories have unique fea- during 2000-2015 and increased steadily up to US$49 bil- tures as well. Average growth rate of lion in 2015. Intra- regional trade reached 8.7 percent other economies turned out to be mod- which is low vis-à-vis growth in exports and imports. erate and relatively stable in most of ix.The composition of exports as well as imports to the the period. CHRONICLE ECO 73 Publications

Region and to the world and the trading partners has seen little change. The only major change is the increased share of China in the imports and exports of the ECO countries largely replacing the EU, USA, Russia and Japan products. ECO Region exports remain dependent on natural resource products, its by-products and agriculture products such as petroleum, gas, coal, minerals, etc. as well as cotton and cereals. In case of imports, the Region's major imports include energy as well as vehicles and machinery. leading to distinct trends and patterns of the economic indicators discussed in x.Intra-regional trade is below the potential at 8.7 per- the document. The other challenge was cent of the total trade even lower than the peer economic dearth of key economic data. The blocs, namely, ASEAN, NAFTA, etc. This may have emanat- review delineates that future perform- ed from the non-implementation of ECO Trade Agreement ance of the Region tremendously (ECOTA) and weak transport and communication linkages depends upon the macroeconomic sta- among the Member States. bility and certainty at global level, Region's interaction with the world xi.Foreign reserves increased many fold in all economies economy, and "strong inter-regional especially Republic of Azerbaijan (17.16 percent per economic collaboration and partner- annum), Kazakhstan (18.82 percent per annum), Pakistan ship". Further, it infers that increased (16.27 percent per annum) and Turkey by (10.86 percent intra-regional cooperation among the per annum) indicating bright prospects and a climate of Member States in priority areas of optimism. Thus, increase in foreign exchange reserves cooperation will be mutually beneficial buffered exchange rate for certain period; remittances reg- for social-economic sustainable devel- istered marked increase whereas the region saw historical opment and prosperity of the Member heights of FDI impacting positively on all other indicators. States.

xii.Three Central Asian economies i.e. Kyrgyz Republic, The Review stipulates that the coun- Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have noticeable dependence on tries, however, need greater and sus- foreign remittances as source of revenues and foreign tained effort to buffer their economies exchange. Pakistan is also one of the countries which from dwindling/volatile international receive substantial remittances, US$ 20 billion annually, prices of natural resources and continue though not substantial in terms of percentage of its GDP. the process of diversification of economies already under way. Regional The Review delineates that ECO Region has recorded integration needs to be an assigned pri- decent progress in popular international indices as well. In ority and Member States require not Ease of Doing Business Index which is prepared and losing sight of long term fundamentals reported on annual basis, seven of the ten ECO Member for the sake of short term exigencies. States have improved their positions substantially. In Though the economies are aware of the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI), which gives an need for sustained and sustainable assessment of competitiveness of the countries, five out of development in the Region, they also seven ECO economies have increased their competitive- need to further focus on inclusive ness (GCI index reported on seven out of ten ECO development to further improve the Countries). A comparison of ECO with the two multilateral people's lives. organizations in Asia, ASEAN and SAARC, over the period 2000-2015 also yields a good performance report card for The publication has been authored ECO. All these developments are a good news for the /compiled by Mr. Muhammad Safdar, Member States as well as the Region, nonetheless, further Research Officer, Directorate of Trade improvements in strengthening economies through diver- and Investment and reviewed and edit- sification and decreasing dependence on resource sector, ed by Mr. Ahsan Ali Mangi, Deputy policies for absorption of labor in industry and service sec- Secretary General. The same is available tors can help in strengthening the economies and to make at ECO Secretariat web-site: them resistant from economic fluctuations. www.eco.int...... Preparation of such a review was a challenging task due Mr. Muhammad Safdar is the responsible to the fact that the Member States have wide differences officer in the Trade and Investment Directorate in terms of sizes of the economies and their structures of the ECO Secretariat in Tehran. CHRONICLE ECO 74 Publications

Drug Situation Report in the ECO Region 2012-2015 Review by: Mr. Raheel Cheema

To give a better idea and realistic analysis about drug situation of ECO Region, ECO Drugs and Organized Crime Coordination Unit (ECO-DOCCU) regularly pub- lishes "Drug Situation Report in the ECO Region". The current issue of the publication covers period of 2012 to 2015 and contains four chapters. Key findings and trend of narcotics seizures among the ECO Member States in a regional basis are discussed in chapter one of the Report. In chapter two, information on narcotics seizures, volume of different types of drug seized (kg and percentage) for the years 2012-2013 and information on the drug demand and supply reduction for all ten ECO Member States has been provided. In chapter 3, ECO-DOCCU has analyzed the statistics of drug seizures for 2014 and 2015 for six ECO Member States including the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Republic of Azerbaijan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Tajikistan and Republic of Turkey. The concluding remarks are enunciat- ed in chapter 4 of the Report, which highlights the importance of ECO Region in fight against trafficking and ...... efforts being made to counter this menace. Mr. Raheel Cheema is the Programme Officer This regular series of report of the ECO Secretariat is in the ECO Drug and Organized Crime Unit being published with a view to giving a regional context in Tehran. the national statistics and policies of the Member States whereby additional frameworks would be available to the relevant decision making bodies of the ECO Member States to take into account facts and realities within the Region as well as the policies pursued by other regional countries to tackle the menace of drugs. CHRONICLE ECO 75 ECO Day 2016 was celebrated in Tehran

ECO "ECO Day 2016" was cele- Member States will realize further achieve- CHRONICLE brated on 7 December 2016 ments. in Tehran Espinas Palace Hotel. Ambassadors H.E. Dr. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Deputy and representatives of the Tehran diplomatic Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic corps, high-ranking authorities from the host Republic of Iran also made his statement at country, as well as high level officials and rep- the Event. resentatives of Member States, who were in He recalled the history of ECO since its Tehran for RPC meeting, attended the com- inception and expansion and assured the memoration ceremony. audience of the continued support of the In his welcoming remarks to the large audi- Islamic Republic of Iran to ECO and its activi- ence, the ECO Secretary General, H.E. ties. Ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca highlighted The Event marked the establishment of the the importance of the regional cooperation Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), within ECO framework in the last 3 decades created by Iran, Turkey and Pakistan in 1985 and hoped that in future, particularly in the and enlarged to a 10-country organization in light of the new emerging ECO Vision 2025, 1992. CHRONICLE ECO 76