A Summit of Symbolism: Choosing Khankendi
Choosing Khankendi as the host city was highly symbolic. The city, once the center of political conflict and displacement, has now become a beacon of peacebuilding and post-war development under Azerbaijani sovereignty. Hosting an international summit of this scale sent a powerful message of stability, reconciliation, and forward-looking diplomacy to the international community.
Khankendi’s transformation into a modern city with green infrastructure, upgraded connectivity, and inclusive services made it an apt venue for a summit that emphasized climate resilience, innovation, and unity.
High-Level Participation and Strategic Multilateralism
The summit witnessed a high level of participation, underscoring the strong political will of member states to deepen regional ties. Heads of State and Government from all ten ECO Member States gathered under one roof, alongside key ministers and economic advisors. Also in attendance were:
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ECO Observer States, such as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Organization of Turkic States
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Special Guests from Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates
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Heads of major international and regional organizations, including the Secretaries General of:
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D8 Organization for Economic Cooperation
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Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA)
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United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
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Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA)
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International Transport Forum (ITF)
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As well as the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations
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Such broad participation not only amplified the summit’s legitimacy but also established it as a platform for south-south cooperation, dialogue with global economic actors, and strategic engagement between regional and international organizations.