After a 15-year hiatus, Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member states have resumed high-level discussions in Tehran, focusing on enhancing border security, curbing smuggling, and promoting regional economic integration through coordinated policies.
Deputy interior ministers from ECO nations gathered on Monday in the Iranian capital to chart strategies for improved regional coordination in border management, trade facilitation, and law enforcement. The meeting, chaired by Iran’s Deputy Interior Minister Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian, also explored measures to combat narcotics trafficking, bolster cybersecurity, and harness emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence to strengthen security cooperation.
This expert-level session set the stage for the main ECO interior ministers’ summit scheduled for Tuesday, which will see participation from ministers and senior officials from Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asian member states, with Oman and Iraq attending as invited guests.
Key outcomes from the deputy ministers’ discussions will be reviewed and finalized during the ministerial summit, with a joint statement—expected to be named the “Tehran Declaration” highlighting actionable commitments to reinforce regional stability and enhance trade integration.
Officials emphasize that the revival of the ECO interior ministers’ meetings represents a critical opportunity to restore deeper, coordinated cooperation across the region. Analysts caution, however, that the effectiveness of these efforts will depend on practical implementation, particularly in tackling border crime and fostering economic connectivity.
The Tehran summit signals a renewed drive among ECO member states to confront shared challenges collectively, projecting a vision of stability, security, and prosperity across the region.
