It is a privilege for Pakistan to host the 13th ECO Summit on 1st March 2017, and I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all our honourable guests to our beautiful country.
The Summit’s theme, Connectivity for Regional Prosperity, represents our collective vision to build ECO into a community of shared prosperity through greater economic integration and close people-to-people contact.
The participation of high-level leadership from all ten members of ECO makes this summit a significant milestone. The event also marks the 25th Anniversary of the joining of ECO by seven new members in 1992. The occasion inspires us to redouble our efforts to achieve the aims and objectives of the Organization for the benefit and welfare of all our people.Surely, the Islamabad Declaration, to be adopted at the Summit, will reflect the joint aspirations of the people of the region.
I have firm conviction that expanded connectivity, enhanced trade and deeper economic cooperation would transform our region into a bastion of progress, prosperity and peace. ECO states are the proud custodians of the Silk Road legacy; and inspired by the Silk Road’s spirit of openness, Pakistan would be more than happy to provide ECO states connectivity through its ports.
The ECO region is endowed with abundant energy resources, minerals, agriculture, industry and dynamic human capital. Our common cultural and historical heritage is an even more valuable asset. Synergizing our strengths, we can soon change our region’s destiny. The way forward for us has been laid out in ECO Vision 2025 in the form of pragmatic and tangible organizational targets.
I am confident that very soon ECO will develop into a key regional economic bloc.
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