Azerbaijan’s Aghdam hosts first ECO youth forum PHOTO

The first Youth Forum of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) kicked off in Aghdam on July 1, marking a significant milestone in the region’s efforts to amplify young voices in policymaking and development.

Launched at the initiative of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and held within the framework of "ECO Week," the forum brings together youth from across member states to shape the future of the ECO region through collaboration and innovation, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The event aims to boost youth participation in the organization's new development strategy by focusing on key areas such as sustainable development, economic integration, technological advancement, and human capital.

Participants will engage in discussions on economic and trade cooperation, sustainability, digital transformation, and youth-led solutions to regional challenges.

Organizers say the forum will not only empower young people to contribute to regional decision-making but also spotlight their role in driving progress across the ECO bloc.

By hosting the forum in Aghdam, a city undergoing rapid post-conflict reconstruction, Azerbaijan also seeks to highlight the potential of youth engagement in rebuilding and shaping resilient communities.

The Economic Cooperation Organization is a regional intergovernmental group focused on enhancing economic, trade, and cultural collaboration among its member states, which include countries from Central Asia, the Middle East, and South Asia. Azerbaijan and Iran are both founding members of ECO.

By Sabina Mammadli