Sadyr Japarov makes speech at summit of Economic Cooperation Organization

«Economic Cooperation Organization should be ready for the challenges of the modern world on expansion of the activities of economic projects,» the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov said at the 15^th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit in Ashgabat (Turkmenistan). Press service of the head of state reported.

In his speech, he noted that November 28 is an important day for all the participants of the summit. ECO Day is marked today.

«Today’s summit creates a favorable environment for a broad exchange of views on topical issues on the agenda of the organization, discussion of new proposals and ideas for the development of our countries, exchange of views on immediate responses to the coronavirus pandemic and climate change. Our states have all the potential necessary to achieve the goals and objectives of the ECO, including economic opportunities, human and scientific, as well as enormous natural resources. Evaluating the work of the organization over the past period and determining its future, we see that our states have reached new heights in recent years, reached a new level of development and are able to solve complex problems,» Sadyr Japarov said.

At the same time, he noted that the consequences of the global economic crisis, as well as modern challenges and threats in the international scene, pose new challenges for the ECO countries. The President called climate change a very serious global problem, adding that urgent action by the entire world community is required to solve it.

He stressed the need to revitalize and strengthen partnerships to reduce carbon emissions and build a cyclical economy to help rebuild a green economy after the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate the impact of climate change in the organization’s space.

«Renewable energy sources are, first of all, hydropower — the locomotive of a carbon-free policy. Fulfillment of the hydropower potential of the Kyrgyz Republic and other states of the region through the introduction of energy-efficient and energy-saving technologies, including the CASA-1000 project, will contribute to the achievement of certain UN Sustainable Development Goals on providing the entire Central Asian region with environmentally friendly electricity,» he said.

In this regard, the head of state proposed to establish a mutually beneficial investment partnership in the field of hydropower within the framework of the Economic Cooperation Organization on the basis of a public-private partnership and called for joint measures to adapt to climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He believes that the ECO should be ready for the challenges of the modern world to expand the activities of economic projects, develop and strengthen its institutions and promote basic principles.

«I believe that the time has come for large-scale reforms aimed at creating a real system of project financing in all ECO member countries in order to implement regional cooperation in the trade and economic sphere,» Sadyr Japarov explained.

According to him, the Kyrgyz side believes that ECO reforms should also be aimed at increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of the organization’s Secretariat.

In the future, the ECO Secretariat should focus on economic activities and implement projects that are priorities for all its member states.

Sadyr Japarov

«The issue of increasing the efficiency of our organization is more relevant today than ever, and it has been on the agenda of meetings for many years. We must be determined to develop and implement appropriate strategies in areas such as transport and communications, industry, energy, trade and investment, tourism and the environment, which are priorities for the economy in enhanced regional cooperation, economic growth and development of our region. Considerable attention should also be paid to the continuation of the partnership in the field of agriculture, customs and health care,» he stressed.

The President of the Kyrgyz Republic focused on the fact that the most important task of the organization for successful solving of economic problems is the creation and development of regional infrastructure, including a single transport network, telecommunications, pipelines and the energy system, since this is a necessary condition for effective intraregional and interregional cooperation.

He noted that Kyrgyzstan, together with other ECO states, is actively involved in the development of the East-West and North-South transport corridors. «This will allow the countries of Central Asia to reach the Persian Gulf through Turkmenistan and Iran. In addition, our republic attaches great importance to the promotion of the Uzbekistan — Kyrgyzstan — China railway project, which is included in the ECO Action Plan for the development of transport and communications in the region of the organization. The Kyrgyz Republic is actively working to increase the transit potential of the transport corridor along Kyrgyzstan — Uzbekistan — Turkmenistan — Iran route through Shahid Rajaee port,» the head of state said.

Touching upon the tourism topic, he noted that cooperation in this area between the ECO countries is becoming more and more active. The states of the region have great tourism potential and many opportunities for the development of international tourism. In this regard, it is necessary to consider the issue of partnerships in this sector.

He touched upon the issue of regional security, noting the situation in Afghanistan, which has a direct impact on the ECO states. The social and economic situation in this republic in the run up to the winter causes serious concern. On the basis of principles of humanism Kyrgyzstan delivered humanitarian aid to Kabul by plane, as well as by trucks to the residents of the Big and Little Pamirs. In addition, it was decided to continue issuing student visas to Afghan citizens studying in the Kyrgyz Republic. It is important to make every effort to prevent a civil war in Afghanistan.

In conclusion, the President said that the members of the organization have great potential for economic development, but it has not yet been fully unlocked. In order to narrow the gap between the levels of economic development of the ECO member countries, it is necessary to take appropriate joint measures, which will eventually bring them closer and give a common result.

Sadyr Japarov assured that the Kyrgyz Republic is ready to make every effort to further strengthen multilateral relations. At the same time, he added that the «Ashgabat Declaration» adopted today by the states meets the interests of all members of the organization.