BAKU, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijan hosted the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) on Friday, marking a historic gathering of leaders from across the region under the theme "New ECO Vision for a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future."
The summit, chaired by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, was held in the city of Khankendi and capped off a week of ECO events across the country, according to the ECO secretariat.
Leaders and ministers from the 10 ECO member states attended the summit. Representatives from ECO observers, such as the Turkish Cypriot State, joined special guests from Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates, along with heads of international organizations like the United Nations.
Key topics discussed included trade liberalization, green transformation, climate change, transportation corridors and strengthening institutional capacity. Leaders reaffirmed their support for expanding energy cooperation, scientific exchanges, education, tourism and inclusive development across the ECO region.
Leaders welcomed the ceasefire between Iran and Israel as a step toward de-escalation and supported diplomatic resolutions. They also urged expanding nuclear-weapon-free zones.
During the summit, Kazakhstan signed the Charter of the ECO Clean Energy Center, reinforcing the bloc's commitment to sustainable energy initiatives.
It was announced that the next ECO summit will be hosted by Iran in 2027.
Founded in 1985 as the successor to the Regional Cooperation for Development, the ECO brings together countries from the Caucasus, Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. The ECO now spans over 8 million square kilometers and includes a population of more than 460 million. Its mission centers on boosting trade, transportation, energy and socio-economic cooperation among its member states. ■