Empowering Trade and Sustainable Development: Astana's Leadership in the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO)
Astana Prioritizes Eliminating Trade Barriers During ECO Leadership
In the hot seat as the current chair of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Astana is steering the ship towards eliminating trade barriers and bolstering logistics connectivity, as shared by Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of Staff of the Kazakh Government, Galymzhan Koishybayev, at the first ECO Ministerial Forum on Sustainable Development in Arkadag, Turkmenistan.
As revealed by Koishybayev's discourse through the Prime Minister's press service, Astana isresolved to unify standards, build digital platforms, and foster economic integration within the region.
Koishybayev's meeting with Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People's Council) of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov unveiled Kazakhstan's aspiration to work towards a "green corridor", enabling joint ventures in industry, energy, transportation, logistics, agriculture, and various other sectors.
Stressing the significance of collaboration in the gas industry, Koishybayev also engaged in talks with Iran's Vice President Hamid Pourmohammadi, affirming the bilateral meetings' brisk pace and the substantial potential for trade and economic collaboration.
The forum attracted ministers, high-ranking officials from ECO member states, international organization representatives, members from civil society, academia, and the private sector.
Founded in 1985, the ECO is home to ten member states: Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan.
Behind the Veil: Astana's Strategic Priorities
During its chairmanship of the ECO, Astana has identified several crucial initiatives and targets, underscoring its dedication to trade, connectivity, and sustainable development. Here are the main objectives:
- Fostering Regional Transport Connectivity and Sustainable Development:
- Astana's chairmanship emphasis is on promoting regional transport connectivity and sustainable development[1].
- This involves developing new strategic transport corridors, essential for trade expansion and economic integration[1].
- Barrier-Free Trade and Streamlined Logistics:
- Astana is working diligently to dismantle trade barriers and enhance logistics connectivity within the ECO region[3].
- This also encompasses standardizing practices and refining digital infrastructure to support economic integration and streamline trade[3].
- Digital Transformation:
- Astana accentuates the importance of digital transformation, applied across all sectors, as a key priority for sustainable development[1].
- Food and Energy Security:
- Astana emphasizes the importance of food and energy security for the region[1].
- To this end, projects like the "green corridor" are being championed to boost cooperation in areas such as energy, transportation, agriculture, and industry[3].
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is a national priority for Astana, and it seeks to collaborate with other ECO member countries to combat common challenges, including climate change and gender inequality[1][3].
In sum, Astana's ECO chairmanship aims to fortify regional harmonization, promote economic integration, and foster sustainable development throughout the ECO region.
- In line with its role as the current chair of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Astana is focused on enhancing finance and business by fostering regional transport connectivity, dismantling trade barriers, and refining digital infrastructure.
- Astana's strategy during its chairmanship of the ECO emphasizes achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which involves cooperation with other ECO member countries on common challenges such as climate change, gender inequality, and food and energy security, encompassing industries like agriculture, energy, and industry.
