13th Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Ministerial Meeting on Transport: TRACECA supports enhanced regional connectivity and cooperation

The Meeting was opened by the Minister of Transport and Urban Development, Dr. Farzaneh Sadegh, stressing that the strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran - especially in the field of transport and transit - is aimed at strengthening economic multipolarity and enhancing cooperation with neighbours. Cooperation with the ECO is one of the priorities of the current 14th government.

The Meeting provided an important platform for exchange of views on key issues in the development of transport interconnectivity in the ECO region. It focused on the following issues: development of multimodal transport corridors, digitalisation of the transport industry, simplification of border procedures and harmonisation of regulatory frameworks between the countries.

In the statement on behalf of the Permanent Secretariat of the IGC TRACECA, key areas of activities including infrastructure development and seamless connectivity, harmonisation of legislation and trade and transit facilitation, full-scale digital transformation, development of greener and cleaner transport, as well as unlocking investments and engaging more with the private sector were emphasized. The readiness of TRACECA to further promote the deepening of cooperation between the countries of the region was also noted.

The 13th Meeting resulted in the adoption of the Tehran Declaration, which highlights the resolve of the countries to materialize the goal of “Advancing Regional Transport Connectivity and Sustainable Development” through enhanced cooperation in the ECO Region. The document pays special attention to the need for coordinated action in the field of infrastructure investment, harmonisation of transport policy and involvement of the private sector in regional projects.

The Meeting concluded by reaffirming a shared commitment to joint work to build a sustainable, interconnected and prosperous transport system in the region.

For reference:

- The Islamic Republic of Iran has been holding the Chairmanship of the Intergovernmental Commission TRACECA since 26 February 2025.

- The Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) is a regional interstate economic organisation formed in 1985 by the countries of Central Asia and the Middle East and is the successor to the Regional Cooperation Organisation for Development, which operated on the basis of the Treaty of Izmir signed by the three founding countries Iran, Pakistan and Türkiye on 12 March 1977.  

- The Memorandum of Understanding between the PS IGC TRACECA and ECO was signed on 16 June 2009 in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan.

- The eight TRACECA countries - Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - are also members of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO).