New York: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has called for the transformation of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) into a more integrated and competitive region within the global South. Speaking at the 27th Informal Meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers in New York, Dar emphasized revitalizing regional cooperation to strengthen the collective capacity to tackle geopolitical, economic, and environmental challenges.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s position as the new chair of the ECO Council of Ministers. He stated that Pakistan aims to advance the ECO’s long-term vision and produce tangible outcomes for the region’s people. The focus during Pakistan’s chairmanship will be on trade and economic integration, trade facilitation, connectivity, transit, and climate resilience.

Dar highlighted the necessity of reviving regionalism and strengthening resilience to build a more integrated and prosperous ECO region. He underscored the need for stronger political commitment and institutional reforms within the ECO to effectively address challenges. He suggested streamlining the ECO’s secretariat and affiliated institutions, ensuring their mandates and structures are responsive to evolving geopolitical and economic realities.