Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund Participates and Delivers a Speech at the 17th ECO Summit

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Deputy PM for Economic Affairs, participated and delivered a speech today, July 4, 2025, at the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), held in the city of Khankendi, Azerbaijan.

During his remarks, Deputy PM Mullah Baradar Akhund stated that as a result of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s continued balanced and economy-focused foreign policy, the Russian Federation has officially recognized the government. The Islamic Emirate warmly welcomes this step. Accordingly, in light of Afghanistan’s deep and long-term cooperation with ECO, he called on all member states of the organization to recognize Afghanistan’s legitimate political reality and, like the Russian Federation, take practical and positive steps toward formal recognition.

The Deputy PM also spoke about the Islamic Emirate’s economy-centered foreign policy, the economic progress achieved within Afghanistan, the existing investment opportunities, and Afghanistan’s strategic role in facilitating and implementing key regional economic projects. He called on ECO member states to work closely with a stable, reliable, and cooperative Afghanistan to strengthen economic and regional cooperation through sustainable progress and coordination. He emphasized the need for cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, energy, transportation, agriculture, environmental protection, and climate change—sectors in which Afghanistan is fully prepared to engage.

He added: “We believe that the economies of ECO member states can only thrive if Afghanistan becomes an active part of this equation.”

At the summit, the Deputy PM also reiterated the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine, stating: “The oppression being inflicted upon the innocent people of Gaza must come to an end without delay. We fully support the liberation of Palestine and the preservation of the Islamic identity of Al-Quds.”

During his address, Deputy PM Mullah Baradar Akhund proposed: “The upcoming (18th) ECO Summit should be held in Kabul. We are fully prepared to host this important and valuable gathering and extend a warm welcome to all participants.”

The 17th ECO Summit was attended by presidents, prime ministers, and high-ranking officials of the member states, who emphasized the importance of fostering full cooperation and coordination among ECO countries in political, economic, trade, transit, transport, cultural relations, regional connectivity, and investment.