The 7th meeting of the Tourism Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was held in Shusha on April 29, marking a significant milestone in regional tourism cooperation.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the meeting, organized within the framework of "Shusha – ECO Tourism Capital 2026," was attended by tourism ministers and high-level delegations from member states.
Fuad Naghiyev, Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan, emphasized the symbolic significance of hosting ECO events in Shusha. He noted that the city, with its rich cultural and historical heritage, stands as one of Azerbaijan's premier tourism destinations. Naghiyev highlighted that a substantial portion of tourists visiting Azerbaijan originate from ECO member states, a trend driven by shared historical, cultural, and ethnic ties between the nations.
ECO Secretary General Asad Majeed Khan stressed the importance of implementing sustainable approaches for regional tourism development. He called for expanded cooperation in tourism education, more active private sector involvement, and the execution of joint initiatives. Khan stated that these steps would strengthen ties among member states, facilitate the efficient realization of tourism potential, and ensure the sector's sustainable growth.
Discussions during the event focused on tourism diversification, the promotion of ecotourism, the development of regional routes, and the proposal of joint initiatives among member countries. The meeting also saw the presentation and approval of the results from the 9th meeting of the High-Level Experts Group on Tourism, alongside a compendium of best practices in ecotourism and a policy document on tourism diversification.
As a primary outcome of the gathering, member states adopted the "Shusha Declaration," which outlines future priorities for cooperation in the tourism sector. Additionally, the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan was officially selected as the ECO Tourism Capital for 2030.
The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is an intergovernmental regional organization established in 1985, aimed at promoting economic, technical, and cultural cooperation among its member states. Shusha's designation as the Tourism Capital for 2026 reflects the city's rapid restoration and its growing status as a cultural hub in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan following its liberation. These high-level meetings serve to integrate Azerbaijan's liberated territories into the regional and international tourism landscape.
