The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) And Regional Connectivity – OpEd

The goal of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), which consists of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan as members, is to encourage greater economic integration and connection among its member nations. The fundamental objective of the ECO is to expand economic cooperation, trade, and investment among its member states, as well as to modernise the infrastructure of the region in order to make it easier for the free flow of commodities, services, capital, and people. The establishment of a unified market for goods and services, on a scale comparable to that of the European Union, is the overarching goal of the ECO.

Iran and Turkey were the founding members of ECO in 1964. After some time, five other countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan, joined the organisation. The ECO works to foster peaceful coexistence among its member states by expanding opportunities for international trade and investment, as well as by fostering greater connection between the various nations. The enhancement of regional connectivity between ECO’s members is one of the organization’s primary focuses as it moves forward. This is accomplished by the construction of new roads and railways, as well as networks for telecommunications, energy, and air travel. In addition to this, the ECO has begun work on a number of significant infrastructure projects in order to improve members’ access to one another. These include the development project known as Mashhad-Balkh, which is being carried out between Iran and Afghanistan, the Multan-Kandahar motorway, which is being constructed between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the Trans-Caspian corridor, which will link Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.

The governments of the member states are providing financial and other resources to support the completion of these initiatives, which are now in the process of being put into action. It is anticipated that they will contribute to the reduction of trade barriers and make it simpler for commodities and services to freely move between the countries that are located in the region. It is anticipated that the completion of these projects would lead to the creation of new jobs, an increase in economic growth, and a greater emphasis on sustainable development in the region. Other initiatives to improve regional connectivity that the ECO is behind include the implementation of the Central Asian Transit Transport System (CATTS), which seeks to improve the flow of goods and services between the member countries, and the establishment of customs unions and free trade zones to make it easier for businesses to engage in cross-border activities. Both of these initiatives are intended to make it more convenient for businesses to engage in international trade. The Economic Community of the Caribbean (ECO) is hard at work to improve the connectivity of its member nations so that they may more easily seize the opportunities that result from these improvements. The ultimate objective is to improve the economic integration and links between the countries, stimulate sustainable economic growth, and create a region that is both more secure and more wealthy.

Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, is now in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on an official visit in order to participate in the 26th meeting of the Council of Ministers (COM) of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). “Year of Strengthening Connectivity” is the theme that will be discussed at the conference. The summit that took place this year took place against the backdrop of the conflict in Ukraine and the global energy crisis. This was repeated in the speeches made by the foreign ministers, who pushed for more cooperation among member states while facing such grave difficulties.

The mechanisms of regional economic integration were proposed as an efficient solution to address existing concerns regarding energy security and to stimulate additional economic growth in the future.

Pakistan, a founding member of the ECO, has maintained its unwavering dedication to the organization’s mission, which is to promote efficient regional cooperation, with a particular emphasis on communications, trade, culture, and connectivity. There is a significant untapped potential for cooperation among the countries that are members of the ECO. This potential should be channelized and diversified in order to attain optimal levels of trade and economic relations. To improve the region’s possibilities for economic expansion and increased connectivity, it is essential to make efficient use of the potential for cooperative action already present in the fields of transportation and communication, as well as to engage in economic diplomacy. It is imperative that high-level interactions be maintained in order to further strengthen the already good bilateral relations and economic cooperation that exist, particularly in the areas of commerce, energy, and connectivity. Beginning in February 2023, the implementation of the Pak-Uzbekistan Preferential Trade Agreement would represent the beginning of an upward trajectory of a strong partnership and a determination to unlock additional potential in the areas of trade, the economy, and connectivity on both sides. It is imperative that the ECO conference be used to facilitate the development of a regional consensus and the creation of a coordinated plan for the facilitation of transit commerce through Afghanistan, which serves as the hub of regional connectivity.

Nevertheless, Afghanistan is located in the centre of Asia and serves as a connection point for a number of countries and regions, including Central Asia by way of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan; South Asia by way of Pakistan; and the Middle East by way of Iran. Therefore, maintaining peace and security in Afghanistan is essential to the success of any endeavour to improve regional connectivity. The economy of the region relies heavily on Afghanistan’s continued peace and security. Following decades of warfare, the political authorities of the region have made significant headway toward establishing Afghanistan as a prosperous and stable nation-state. Afghanistan has had improved economic and diplomatic connections with its neighbours and the international community over the past several years, which has contributed to a rise in regional commerce. The prosperity of the surrounding regions is likewise intricately tied to the stability of Afghanistan. The greater the level of safety and stability in the country, the more opportunity there is for commerce with the surrounding areas. It is important for the government of Afghanistan to continue to enhance its diplomatic ties with both its immediate neighbours and the wider region as a whole, as well as to work toward increasing regional cooperation and lowering the risk of terrorist activity.

Jehangir Khan Mehsud is a graduate of economics and political science from Forman Christian College University, Lahore.