The Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Dr. Asad M. Khan participated in the 1st ECO Forum on Sustainable Development, held on April 28–29, 2025, in the smart city of Arkadag, Turkmenistan. The landmark Forum, jointly organized by ECO and the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan, focused on strengthening regional cooperation and advancing efforts toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
During his opening statement, the Secretary General highlighted the significance of the Forum as a strategic platform for aligning regional policies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the need for enhanced coherence, innovative solutions, and multilateral partnerships. He underscored the role of the newly formed High-Level Sustainable Development Working Group (HLSDWG) and the soon-to-be-released ECO SDG Performance Index Report in guiding regional efforts.
The Forum brought together ministers, senior officials from ECO member states, representatives from international organizations, civil society, academia, and the private sector. Key themes included climate action, gender equality, decent work, health, and the vital role of family institutions in sustainable development.
Dr. Khan reaffirmed ECO’s commitment to supporting its member states through capacity building, policy dialogue, and regional initiatives that foster inclusive and resilient growth. He called for institutionalizing the Forum as an annual mechanism for reviewing progress and addressing emerging regional challenges.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from participants to accelerate SDG implementation through stronger regional collaboration and integrated development strategies.