Iran Calls for Strengthened ECO Cooperation to Advance Regional Welfare
Tehran, The Gulf Observer: Greater cooperation among member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) will enhance the welfare and prosperity of their peoples, Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, stated on Monday during the 13th ECO Transport Ministers’ Meeting in Tehran.
In her address at the opening session, Minister Sadegh emphasized that regional collaboration within ECO not only fosters economic advancement but also reflects the deep-rooted cultural ties shared among its member countries. She urged member states to maximize the organization’s vast potential to drive sustainable economic development across the region.
“Transport plays a pivotal role in promoting regional growth,” Sadegh noted, adding that Iran places high priority on advancing regional cooperation, optimizing ECO’s capabilities, and expanding transit and connectivity networks.
Underscoring Iran’s strategic geographic position in West Asia, the minister highlighted the country’s access to international waters via the Persian Gulf and its robust transport infrastructure—boasting over 250,000 kilometers of roads and 15,000 kilometers of railway lines—at the intersection of key north-south and east-west corridors.
Sadegh further called on ECO member states to actively engage in the implementation of the organization’s initiatives, particularly in the transport sector, in line with the ECO Vision 2035 for regional integration.
She also reported that Iran achieved a record 20 million tons of transit cargo last year, a milestone made possible through effective cooperation with regional partners and major infrastructure developments at border crossings with Azerbaijan and Turkey.
The 13th ECO Transport Ministers’ Meeting, convened in Tehran, will continue through Tuesday, bringing together high-level delegates to discuss strategies for enhancing connectivity and economic integration across the ECO region.
