The 9th Meeting of the High-Level Experts Group on Tourism of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was held on 28 April in the city of Shusha.

The meeting brought together delegations from ECO member states, tourism experts and representatives of relevant institutions.

Discussions focused on organisational matters, including the election of the chair, approval of the agenda and determination of working mechanisms.

In line with the agenda, participants reviewed preparations for the 7th Meeting of ECO Tourism Ministers, assessed the implementation status of decisions adopted during the 6th meeting, and considered documents submitted for approval, as well as matters related to the designation of the ECO Tourism Capital for 2030.

At the same time, discussions were held on the draft “Shusha Declaration”, which is expected to be adopted within the framework of the 7th Meeting of Tourism Ministers, and proposals regarding the content of the document were put forward.

The outcomes of the 9th Meeting of the High-Level Experts Group on Tourism will be submitted to the agenda of the 7th Meeting of Tourism Ministers scheduled for 29 April.

It should be noted that during the 5th Meeting of Tourism Ministers of the member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization held in 2023, the city of Shusha was designated as the “Tourism Capital of the Economic Cooperation Organization for 2026”.

The tourism-related events are being organised in line with the Action Plan approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan regarding the designation of Shusha as the Tourism Capital of the Economic Cooperation Organization for 2026.