Established in — 1985
Headquarters — Tehran (Iran)
Member States — Islamic State of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan Republic, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Turkey, Turkmenistan and Republic of Uzbekistan
Finance Source — Member contributions
Language — English
Key Executive — Secretary General
Type of Organisation
Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), is an intergovernmental regional organisation established in 1985 by Iran, Pakistan and Turkey for the purpose of promoting economic, technical and cultural cooperation among the Member States.
ECO is the successor organisation of Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD) which remained in existence since 1964 up to 1979.
In 1992, the Organisation was expanded to include seven new members, namely: the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Republic of Uzbekistan. The date of the Organisation’s expansion to its present strength, November 28, is being observed as the ECO Day.
The ECO region is full of bright trading prospects. Despite its young age, ECO has developed into a thriving regional organisation. Its international stature is growing. Nevertheless, the organisation faces daunting challenges with respect to realisation of its objectives and goals. Most importantly, the region is lacking in appropriate infrastructure and institutions which the Organisation is seeking to develop, on a priority basis, to make full use of the available resources in the region.
Over the past 12 years, the member states have been collaborating to accelerate the pace of regional development through their common endeavors. Besides shared cultural and historic affinities, they have been able to use the existing infrastructural and business links to further fortify their resolve to transfer their hopes and aspirations into a tangible reality. ECO has embarked on several projects in priority sectors of its cooperation including energy, trade, transportation, agriculture and drug control.
Functions of the Principal Organs of ECO
Council of Ministers (COM)—Council of Ministers (COM) is the highest policy and decision-making body of
ECO and is composed of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member States. It shall meet at least once a year preferably prior to the beginning of the ECO fiscal year by rotation, in the territories of the Member States. The Council of Ministers may propose the convening of meetings of other Ministers for the formulation and recommendation of plans and projects in their respective fields. The Council of Ministers shall have, inter-alia, the following responsibilities :
Regional Planning Council (RPC)—The Regional Planning Council (RPC) is composed of the Heads of the Planning Organisation or the equivalent ministry of the Member States and meets at least once a year prior to the annual meeting of the Council of Ministers under the Chairpersonship of the representative of the Member state holding Chairpersonship of the Council of Ministers. It shall evolve basic strategies/policies and plans in accordance with the objectives and principles of regional cooperation laid down in the Treaty of Izmir, as well as policy guidelines and directives of the Council of Ministers. To accomplish this task, the RPC shall :
(a) Institutionalize itself at the national levels for regular coordination among designated focal points in each area of activity.
(b) Biennially review ECO’s priorities laid down in the Economic Cooperation Strategy.
(c) Annually review the progress of implementation of ECO’s approved programmes of action and projects.
(d) Critically review and evaluate the economic work of the Secretariat and formulate recommendations to the COM.
(e) Prepare ECO’s Annual Calendar of Events for submission to the Council of Ministers.
(f) Propose when necessary, the establishment of ad-hoc technical committees to the Council of Ministers.
(g) Prepare Annual Economic Report of the ECO region.
(h) Submit its annual report to the Council of Ministers through the Secretary-General.
Council of Permanent Representatives (CPR)—The Council of Permanent Representatives (CPR) is composed of Ambassadors from the Member states, accredited as representatives to the ECO and meets as often as necessary under the chairpersonship of the representative of Member State holding the chairpersonship of the Council of Ministers and carry out the following functions :
(a) It shall be responsible on behalf of and in the name of the Council of Ministers to implement its decisions and carry out its policies;
(b) Report to the Council of Ministers on all policy related issues and matters referred to it by the Council.
(c) Consider the budget and audit reports of the Organisation and recommend them to the COM for approval.
(d) Advise/recommend to the Regional Planning Council on the economic functions of the Secretariat and other technical matters referred to it by the RPC.
(e) Review all the reports of the Secretariat.
(f) Prepare the draft agenda and expedite other arrangement for the RPC and COM meetings.
(g) Monitor and follow up action on the decisions of the RPC.
The Secretariat—In pursuance of Article-IX of the Treaty of Izmir, the Secretariat shall initiate, coordinate and monitor the implementation of ECO activities and service all meetings of the Organisation in line with the agreed documents and directives of the governing organs of ECO. Accordingly, the Secretariat shall undertake the following duties.
Overall Responsibilities and Functions :
(a) To prepare plans, programmes and projects envisaged by ECO’s decision-making organs;
(b) To serve as the permanent channel of communications and coordination among Member Governments in all areas related to ECO’s agreed programmes and activities through all means available to it; in this context also to provide practical information to the Member States on procedural matters and all other fields as may be needed;
(c) To serve as the custodian of all documentation and archives of ECO;
(d) To assist all permanent and ad-hoc organs of ECO in the performance of their work;
(e) To service technically and administratively all meetings and activities of the organisation and help the preparation of reports and documents.
(f) To act as the information agency for ECO in all related areas within as well as outside the region;
(g) To communicate, cooperate and interact with relevant regional and international organizations and agencies in agreed areas in accordance with the policy documents and directives of ECO’s decision-making organs;
(h) To engage in activities and contacts in support of the member governments in order to facilitate financing of agreed projects and activities through international financial organisations, investors and donors;
(i) To monitor the activities and maintain contact with regional institutions and specialized agencies and serve as a bridge between them and the Council of Ministers;
(j) To prepare and submit an Annual Report to the Council of Ministers on the overall predominance and activities of the organisation;
(k) To carry out such other functions and duties as may be assigned to it by the Council of Ministers and the Council of Permanent Representatives;
(l) To establish and operate a documentation and publication system in line with international standards;
(m) To maintain effective communications with the Permanent Missions/Embassies and National Focal Points of the Member States through a modern and speedy network.