With the Presence of the Geological Survey of Iran, the Following Was Launched: Developing a Strategic Plan for Mineral Cooperation among ECO Member States on a Five-Year Horizon

The 1st Task Force Meeting on development of the "ECO Five-Year Roadmap on Minerals Cooperation for 2026-2030" was held virtually with the presence of representatives from member countries. This roadmap is being developed as a comprehensive and inclusive document on sustainable development and cooperation in the minerals sector of the ECO region.

 The 1^st Task Force Meeting on development of the "ECO Five-Year Roadmap on Minerals Cooperation for 2026-2030" was held virtually with the presence of representatives from member countries. This roadmap is being developed as a comprehensive and inclusive document on sustainable development and cooperation in the minerals sector of the ECO region.

 ECO, as a regional organization with the aim of transforming the minerals sector into a catalyst for economic growth and social progress, pays special attention to sustainable development and regional integration in this area. In this regard, the Geological Survey of Iran, as the national focal point of the Mining, Energy and Environment Committee in the ECO Secretariat, plays a pivotal role in this process.

 The key roles of the Geological Survey of Iran in developing the vision 2035 include designing and implementing such regional projects as mineral distribution maps, geoscience databases, and earthquake susceptibility maps (ECO Sharp), preparing geological base maps, creating data-driven infrastructure for mining decision-making, holding specialized meetings and exchanging knowledge among experts from member countries, and also presenting a digital transformation plan to smartize mineral exploration and exploitation processes.

 The main topics of the ECO mining cooperation roadmap include the development of joint mining infrastructure, the formulation of coordinated environmental and mining policies, increasing intra-regional trade in minerals, human resource empowerment, the transfer of modern technologies, and the attraction of domestic and foreign investment with regional incentives.

 This virtual meeting was attended by representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. The Geological Survey of Iran was also present at the meeting, with Omid Ardebili, GSI representative on the Committee on Mines, Energy, and Environment, and Hanieh Bakhshaee, Head of International Affairs Department.