Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 9 November, the sixteenth summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), held under the motto “Together for economic stability and development,” took place in Tashkent.

The modern development of the Organization is carried out within the framework of the conceptual program “ECO Prospects - 2025”, which determines the further expansion of trade, economic, industrial, investment and humanitarian ties between the ECO states.

The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his speech especially noted the importance of strengthening cooperation in the field of tourism, which acts as one of the priority areas of the ECO.

Currently, tourism is one of the dynamically developing and promising sectors of the world economy. Globalization processes have opened up vast opportunities for the free movement of people around the world.

The ECO region is well known for its vast potential, with a shared historical heritage, the holy religion of Islam, rich culture and similar values, bringing together some 550 million people.

In particular, there are currently about 90 monuments included in the UNESCO World Heritage List within the Organization’s space.

The Economic Cooperation Organization countries have enormous tourism potential. Approximately 80 million foreign tourists visit the region annually, attracted by a variety of leisure activities such as cultural, medical, pilgrimage and gastronomic tourism.

Also, due to the growing popularity of cross-border destinations, the Leader of Uzbekistan proposed introducing joint tourist routes and increasing common tourism programs under the “Silk Road” brand.

To form a consolidated position in this direction, Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed creating a separate Advisory Committee on Tourism from the administrations and leading experts of the ECO member countries. According to the President, Uzbekistan is ready to hold the first meeting of the Committee next year in the tourist capital of the ECO in Shakhrisabz.

The initiatives proposed by the Head of State will provide the Organization with the opportunity to stimulate the development of tourism in the region by developing a common strategy and standards, strengthen international cooperation, and increase the flow of tourists.

In general, systematic cooperation in the field of tourism within the ECO will ensure a closer dialogue between the countries of the region, strengthen their tourism potential, which will ultimately bring economic and cultural benefits to all ECO participants, and will also serve to further establish the Organization as an effective and efficient structure.

Akmila Mukhitdinova,

Leading researcher at the International Institute of Central Asia