The Republic of Azerbaijan, under the Chairmanship of President Ilham Aliyev, successfully hosted the 17th ECO Summit on July 3 and 4, 2025, in Khankendi, demonstrating its commitment to promoting regional cooperation and sustainable development. Held under the overarching theme “New ECO Vision for a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future,” the Summit concluded a dynamic and inclusive ECO Week, held from July 1 to 4, 2025, across different cities of the Karabakh region.

The Summit brought together ECO Heads of State and Government, as well as Ministers from the ten ECO Member States. Also in attendance were representatives from ECO Observers, including the Turkish Cypriot State and the Organization of Turkic States, Special Guests from Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates, and heads of international organizations, including the Secretaries General of D8, CICA, UNESCAP, TRACECA, ITF, and the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations. ECO’s Specialized Agencies and Subsidiary Bodies, including the ECO Trade and Development Bank, ECO Cultural Institute, ECO Educational Institute, ECO Science Foundation, ECO Seed Association, and Parliamentary Assembly of ECO Member States (PAECO) also participated at the Summit.

ECO leaders expressed their unified resolve to enhance regional cooperation, with particular emphasis on trade, connectivity and green transformation, while underscoring the importance of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. They also highlighted the need to deepen collaboration in key areas such as tourism, energy, science, education and cultural exchange as core pillars of the ECO framework, recognizing their vital role in fostering mutual understanding, innovation, and inclusive development across the region.

Within the Summit’s framework, series of multi-stakeholder forums were held. The ECO Youth Forum, themed “Enhancing the Role of Youth for Building a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future,” was held in Aghdam on July 1. Following this, the ECO Women Forum, focused on “Enhancing the Role of Women for Building a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future,” convened in Lachin on July 2. On the same day, the 6th ECO Business Forum brought together business leaders and investors in Fuzuli under the theme “Investment and Trade Promotion as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development in the ECO Region.” The substantive discussions and insights from the Youth, Women, and Business forums during ECO Week will contribute to shaping the Organization’s new vision document: Strategic Objectives of Economic Cooperation – 2035. The 17th ECO Summit served as a crucial platform for reinforcing the shared commitment of member states to sustainable economic growth, deeper regional integration, and inclusive development. At the Summit, a significant treaty event was held where the Republic of Kazakhstan signed the Charter of the ECO Clean Energy Center, which is based in Baku. Looking ahead, the next ECO Summit is scheduled for 2027 and will be hosted by the Islamic Republic of Iran, continuing the momentum towards regional cooperation and progress.

ORIENT