Participation of the Minister of Economic Development and Trade in the First ECO Forum on Sustainable Development in the City of Arkadag

  

On April 28, 2025, the first Forum of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) on Sustainable Development took place in the city of Arkadag, Turkmenistan, where an official delegation from the Republic of Tajikistan, led by the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin, participated and delivered a speech.

Zavqizoda Z. A. noted that, considering the negative consequences of global climate change for water resources in the region, the Republic of Tajikistan will host an International High-Level Conference on Glacier Protection from May 29 to 31, 2025, in Dushanbe, as part of the fifth initiative of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, esteemed Emomali Rahmon. In this regard, all ECO member countries were invited to actively participate in this important international event.

It was highlighted that in 2024, the share of Tajikistan's foreign trade with ECO countries amounted to 33 percent, and the foreign trade turnover of Tajikistan with ECO countries increased by 18 percent in 2024 compared to 2023.

The Minister of Economic Development and Trade emphasized that in accordance with the National Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for the period up to 2030, ensuring sustainable development and thus improving the living standards of the population is the highest goal of the Government. On this basis, Tajikistan has achieved sustainable economic growth averaging 7.5% per year over the past ten years during the first phase of implementing this Strategy, with this figure increasing to 8.4% in 2024.

The Tajik side proposed that the next ECO forecast for 2026-2035 should prioritize cooperation in trade and investment, green development, including green energy, adaptation to global climate change, and transport-logistical connectivity.

It should be noted that ECO was established in 1985 and today unites ten member countries: Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. ECO aims to strengthen economic, social, and cultural cooperation among member states to achieve sustainable development and enhance regional stability.