"Azerbaijan's key initiatives include hosting the ECO Clean Energy Center, which will support renewable energy and energy efficiency markets, and co-developing the RESCUE initiative for resource efficiency and the circular economy," this was stated by the Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Dr. Asad M. Khan, in an interview with Report.
"The ECO region has significant potential to develop low-carbon transport and energy corridors, leveraging its strategic trade routes and vast renewable energy resources. The ongoing ECO Transport Strategy (2026–2035) and pilot initiatives, such as the Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan–Iran railway and green freight corridors, demonstrate how sustainability can be integrated into regional connectivity. In the energy sector, plans for long-term green energy corridors and power interconnectors, alongside the upcoming ECO Clean Energy Center (CECECO) in Baku, aim to support renewable integration, energy efficiency and industrial decarbonization...
...The ECO-UNIDO Clean Energy Center (CECECO) in Baku, with its Charter now in force since August 26, 2025, is designed as a pivotal hub to accelerate the region's sustainable energy transition. The Center will focus on scaling up low-carbon and climate-resilient energy infrastructure, promoting higher value-added manufacturing and services, and facilitating south-south knowledge and technology transfer through the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centers (GN-SEC). CECECO's practical implementation will rely on targeted projects and work programs based on global best practices, adapted to the needs of ECO member states. Countries with limited access to modern renewable energy technologies will benefit from technical assistance, capacity building and accessible financing, ensuring practical adoption. By mobilizing investment at scale and coordinating with international partners, the Center aims to create a vibrant regional clean energy market and drive sustainable industrial growth across the ECO region..."
The Secretary General also noted that a unified energy strategy is being developed for ECO member states: "The development of a unified energy strategy for ECO countries is already underway. The "ECO Strategy for Energy Cooperation 2030", approved at the 4th ECO Energy Ministerial Meeting in June 2021, provides a clear framework for regional collaboration, focusing on sustainable energy transition, regional electricity markets, energy security and investment promotion."
