External Relations

ECO is getting new international prominence and stature through its outward-looking approach. It has cooperative relationship with major regional and international organizations including those within the UN system. ECO has in place Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with following agencies namely: UNDP, UNODC, UNESCAP, UNIDO, UNFPA, FAO, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNECE, UNCTAD, UIC, ITC, OIC, IDB, OSJD, ICARDA, WCO and Colombo Plan. These agencies have active collaboration and provide technical and financial assistance for projects in ECO’s priority fields. Some more MOU are also expected to be signed with international organizations.

Ever since ECO acquired observer status with the UN in 1993 in consequence of General Assembly Resolution 48/2 of October 13, it regularly participates in the annual General Assembly Sessions in that capacity. Every two year a resolution on ECO & UN cooperation is passed in the General Assembly which has important bearing on ECO’s relations with all UN agencies.

The UN General Assembly in its latest Resolution No. 57/38 invited various specialized agencies and other organizations and programmes of the United Nations system and relevant international financial institutions to join in their efforts towards realization of the goals and objectives of the ECO. The UN General Assembly in its Resolution also welcomed the efforts of the ECO with regard to consolidating its ties with the UN system and relevant international and regional organizations towards the furtherance of its objectives and the promotion of cooperation in resolving international economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems. A new resolution will be tabled before the General Assembly (most likely) in September-October 2004.

Every two years the UN Secretary General also has to submit a report on Status of Cooperation between UN and ECO. ECO Secretariat has helped draft all previous UN Secretary General’s report and has forwarded the new draft for 2004 report to UNESCAP (which is a coordinating agency of United Nations in Asia & Pacific). The Secretary General of UN, Mr. Kofi Annan, in his Report to the 57^th session of the UNGA directed the specialized agencies and other organizations and programmes of the United Nations system and the relevant international financial institutions to join in their efforts towards implementation of economic programmes and projects of ECO.

UNESCAP which is a coordinator for development for United Nations in Asia Pacific organizes every year a consultative meeting of Executive Heads of Sub-regional Organizations. ECO and other major regional organizations of Asia and the Pacific (ASEAN, SAARC, South Pacific Forum) are its members. This meeting not only helps coordinate development efforts between ESCAP and all important regional organizations in Asia & Pacific but also enables ECO to enhance its relations with important organizations like ASEAN & SAARC. At its sideline ECO Secretary General also holds bilateral meetings with his counterparts in ASEAN & SAARC. ECO hosted its 8^th Consultative Meeting in Tehran on 21-23 July 2003. The 9^th Meeting was held in Shanghai on April 24, 2004.

Generally there is a goodwill and desire, internationally, to help ECO Member States. There are a lot of synergies and complementaries between ECO and other international and regional organizations. ECO is striving to build on such synergies for the betterment of the region and the world.

Guidance in this regard is provided by successive Council of Ministers Meeting. The ECO Council of Ministers in its meeting in Istanbul in October 2002 decided to expand ECO relations with international organizations. The ECO has been endeavoring to get greater international visibility as well as technical assistance in pursuing its objectives. The Council of Ministers Meeting of June 2003 in Bishkek endorsed ECO’s expanding relations with international organizations. As a result ECO signed MOUs with World Customs Organization, Colombo Plan and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Some more MOUs are also in offing.

Keeping in view these guidelines several projects have been undertaken (details can be seen in relevant Directorates web pages) and more are being formulated. Secretary General of ECO regularly attends the meetings of these organizations and invites their representatives in ECO meetings. These occasions are used to boost bilateral relations.