On 28 April 2025, the first Ministerial Forum of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) on Sustainable Development began its work in the city of Arkadag.

The purpose of this important multilateral meeting is to promote partnership for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the ECO region, and to develop common approaches to solving pressing problems of our time in the name of a happy future for all mankind.

The large-scale two-day forum brought together heads and representatives of government agencies of the ECO member states, international structures, diplomatic missions accredited in Turkmenistan, as well as ministries and industry departments of our country.

At the exhibition organized here, numerous delegates of the forum had the opportunity to get acquainted with the presented diverse, high-quality products of the domestic agricultural complex, food and textile industries, impressive successes of Turkmenistan in the transport sector, in the field of sports, healthcare, pharmaceutical industry, etc.

At the beginning of the plenary session, those gathered enthusiastically listened to the welcoming Address of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov sent to them.

Then, welcoming the participants of the forum, the Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization Asad M. Khan expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome extended to the Government of Turkmenistan.

Speaking about the importance of the forum, which marks a milestone on the path to achieving the 2030 Agenda and is a timely platform for interaction and policy coordination across the Organization’s region, the ECO Secretary General noted with satisfaction the existing common views on a sustainable future and prosperous development of our planet.

Having wished the forum fruitful work, the head of the Organization expressed confidence in the further successful development of the established fruitful cooperation.

Then the floor was given to Galymzhan Koishybayev, Deputy Prime Minister, Head of the Government Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the country chairing the ECO this year.

Expressing gratitude to the Turkmen side for the hospitality and impeccable organization of the event, G.Koishybayev voiced his country’s proposals to focus efforts on eliminating trade barriers, developing logistical interconnectivity, unifying standards and creating digital platforms that will help strengthen economic integration within the region.

The heads of delegations of the ECO member states who spoke next expressed words of gratitude to the organizers for creating excellent conditions for the work of the forum, which is taking place in the “smart” city of Arkadag, worthy of the best praise and admiration.

Speaking about the work carried out in the ECO member countries as part of active progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, the heads of delegations noted the success of projects being implemented in the region in the areas of energy, transport, trade and economics, as well as the consistently increasing interaction with both individual countries of the world and large international organizations and financial institutions.

Having expressed gratitude for the invitation to take part in the current meeting, the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan Dmitry Shlapachenko emphasized that climate change, food security, energy security, gender equality and other issues are key and common, and noted the need to combine the efforts of governments, society, all stakeholders and citizens to overcome these challenges.

Following the plenary session, the forum continued its work in the framework of thematic sessions: “Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability” and “Sustainable Finance, Economic Growth and Well-Being”.

On April 29, discussions will be held during the sessions “The Role of Family Institutions and Demographic Trends in Achieving the SDGs” and “Strategic Discussions on the Development of the ECO Vision for 2026–2035”.

The forum continues its work.