ECO Secretary-General: Combating Desertification Requires Regional Cooperation

econews. Today, coinciding with the World Day to Combat Desertification, Assad Majeed Khan, Secretary-General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), speaking at the Imam Khomeini International Airport City, stated: "The development of the Airport City’s green belt serves as a testament to the collective will and determination to combat desertification—a phenomenon that impacts the lives of all people across the region."

Noting that combating desertification is not a short-term endeavor, he added: "This is a long and continuous journey that requires the cooperation, interaction, and participation of the countries in the region. ECO member states, including Afghanistan, the Republic of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Pakistan, are situated in arid and semi-arid zones and, as a result, face shared environmental challenges."

The ECO Secretary-General continued: "Historically, the people of this region have relied on indigenous knowledge and traditional methods to adapt to water scarcity. However, today, phenomena such as dust storms, soil erosion, land degradation, and other environmental threats are impacting the region more severely than ever before."

Referring to the green airport project at Imam Khomeini International Airport City, Majeed Khan stated: "Addressing desertification and other environmental challenges requires the simultaneous utilization of modern science, indigenous expertise, and regional collaboration. We hope to establish environmental resilience as a cornerstone of our regional activities."

He highlighted that during the 6th ECO Ministerial Meeting on Environment in Samarkand, a framework for environmental cooperation among member states was adopted, reinforcing the necessity of joint action against desertification and other ecological challenges.

Pointing to the negative impacts of desertification on human health, economic productivity, and community resilience, the Secretary-General asserted: "Overcoming these challenges requires coherent and integrated cooperation among member nations."

He also expressed his appreciation for activists in the fields of environmental protection, drought mitigation, and natural resource conservation, adding: "The ECO is committed to collaborating on managing the region's environmental challenges."

Commenting on the tree-planting project at the Imam Khomeini International Airport City, Majeed Khan remarked: "Implementing such initiatives can serve as an inspiring model for other regions. Beyond creating green spaces, these projects strengthen hope for a more sustainable future for generations to come."

He concluded by emphasizing: "The ECO will continue to support plans and initiatives that contribute to sustainable development, enhance environmental resilience, and improve living conditions across the region.