ECONOMIC COOPERATION ORGANIZATION (ECO)
Regional Policy Dialogue on strengthening Transport
Connectivity in Southern Asia International Conference on the
(new Delhi, 19-20 November 2014)
Zukhra Abisheva,
Programme Officer,
Directorate of Transport and Communications
Introduction
ECO Region
Regional studies to implement TTFA
ECO/IDB Joint Project on implementation of TTFA
Transit Transport Framework Agreement
(TTFA) is ECO’s basic document in the
transport sector.
TTFA entered into force in 2006. Eight out of
ten member states are Contracting parties to
TTFA.
Technical Assistance Agreement (Grant) was
signed between ECO and IDB (2009 ) to
prepare a Regional Program for the
implementation of TTFA .
Corridor Management Studies under the
Project (road and railway) were conducted
with the aim to:
• Develop a reliable and efficient road and
railway transport networks in the ECO
region;
• Promote
intra-regional
transport
connections through the promotion of cost
effective transport corridors;
• Suggest improvement of the existing
infrastructure to meet the new demands.
ECO/IDB Joint Project on implementation of TTFA
ECO Road Network Development
Plan
 Defined seven priority ECO
Road routes with branches
 Identified around forty seven
regionally important
infrastructure projects along the
ECO road routes for priority
development
 Developed an Investment Plan
for the priority projects. with the
estimated cost of US$21bln, out
of which approximately 48%
projects with the secured funds.
This Plan was approved by the 6th
Transit Transport Coordination
Council (Tehran, December 2013).
ECO/IDB Joint Project on implementation of TTFA
ECO Railway Network
Development Plan
Corridor study
 Defined five priority ECO Rail
routes with branches
 Identified about forty regionally
important infrastructure projects
along the routes for priority
development.
 Developed an Investment Plan
for the priority projects. with the
estimated cost of US$43 bln, out
of which 38% of projects with
the secured funds.
This Plan was approved by the 11th
Meeting of the Heads of ECO
Railway Authorities, held in Ankara
in June, 2012.
Development of the
ECO Road and Rail Corridors
Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul Road Corridor
ECO corridor
Further to the decisions of the 8th Meeting of the ECO Transport Ministers (Ashgabat,
2011), arrangements for establishing a road corridor between Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul
was initiated. The Corridor is being coordinated by the ECO High Level Working Group
The HLWG adopted an Action Plan for the Establishment of the Corridor, agreed that TIR System
will be applied along the Corridor,; approved the routes and border crossing points; decided that a
field study will be conducted with involvement of International Consultant and national
consultants.
Kyrgyz-Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Iran Road Corridor
ECO corridor
Further to the decisions of the 8th Meeting of the ECO Transport Ministers (Ashgabat,
2011), arrangements for establishing a road corridor between Kyrgyz Republic-TajikistanAfghanistan-Iran was initiated. The Corridor is being coordinated by the ECO High Level
Working Group
The HLWG adopted an Action Plan for the Establishment of the Corridor, agreed that TIR System
will be applied along the Corridor,; approved the routes and border crossing points; decided that a
field study to be conducted with involvement of International Consultant and national consultants.
3rd HLWG on KTAI (Tehran, October 2014) approved the TOR to start the field study.
ECO Container Train on Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul route
ECO corridor
.
The ECO Container Train on Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul Route (6543 km) has begun its
scheduled and regular operation since August 2010. Its operation is being coordinated by a
High Level Working Group which agreed on timetable, tariffs, transshipment fees and other
technicalities of the train. As of end 2014 the running time is around 14 days.
ECO corridor
ECO Container Train on Istanbul-Almaty Route
This route is the most direct and feasible transport route which can facilitate EastAsian trade with Europe through Central Asia. Total distance of route is 5626 km.
The route is operational since 2002. HLWG is following up timetable, tariff and other
technical matters to streamline the train services.
ECO corridor
ECO Container Train on Bandar Abbas-Almaty Route
The first demonstration run of the ECO Container Train on Bandar Abbas-Almaty Route
(3710 km) was organized on 17 October 2011 from Bandar Abbas.
HLWG is following up timetable, tariff and other technical matters to streamline the train
services.
ECO Corridor
Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran Railway Project
The Iranian segment (90 Km)
and the segment in
Kazakhstan (146 km) were
completed and
INAUGURATED in May 2013.
Turkmen segment will be
inaugurated on
3rd December 2014
with participation of high
dignitaries from ECO member
states and international
organizations.
The Project is coordinated by ECO through Tripartite Coordination Committee
(TCC) . 3rd TCC meeting (Tehran, March 2014) agreed on tariffs, common legal
framework to operate the train . It also decided to establish a commercial
working group through ECO Chamber of Commerce and Industry to study and
offer guidelines to attract and increase cargo. ECO suggested to hold the 1st
HLWG back to back with the inauguration of the Turkmen segment.
ECO Corridor
The Republic of Azerbaijan-Iran Railway Project
The Qazvin-Rasht- Astara (Iran)-Astara (Azerbaijan) Railway Project has three parts. Two
parts, namely Qazvinn-Rasht and Rasht-Astara s with a total length of about 369 km are located
in Iran, and one part (less than 10 km) is located in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Two field visits
were organized in 2013 by Iran Railways in collaboration with ECO to be familiarized with the
ongoing construction works in the Iranian segments.
ECO Corridor
The Republic of Azerbaijan-Iran Railway Project )
About 80% progress has already been achieved so far in Qazvin-Rasht Segment (164 km)
of Qazvin-Rasht-Astara (Iran-Astara (Azerbaijan) railway which means 60% progress in the
whole Qazvin-Rasht-Astara route.
As regards the Rasht-Astara segment with the total length of 163 km (plus 41 km on
Rasht-Anzali), the design of its railway line has been approved.
ECO Corridor
Kyrgyz Republic-Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Iran (KTAI) Rail Project
The Project of construction of railway from China to Europe through Kyrgyz RepublicTajikistan- Afghanistan -Iran (KTAI) is coordinated by ECO. The total length of the (KashgharHerat) route is around 2155 km. The total length of Sangan (Iran)-Herat Railway line is 191 km
out of which 76 kilometers lying in Iranian territory has already been constructed.
The feasibility study in Tajik segment is completed with the assistance of Iran. 60% progress has
been achieved in construction of the sub-segment between Chah-e-Sorkh (border with Iran) to
Rozanak area of Herat province. The feasibility study for the sub-segment between Faryab and
Mazare-Sharif is due to be completed soon. The remaining sub-segments of Afghanistan still
require conducting feasibility studies and construction
Transit Facilitation
Transit facilitation
Accession to international conventions
ECO plays an active role in promoting and facilitating the accession of
its member states to important international conventions and
agreements in the field of transport , in close cooperation with the
relevant international organizations and institutions
Examples of ECO’s activities in this field in 2012-2013:
 Reactivation of the TIR Convention in Afghanistan in 2013 in coordination with
ECO and IRU .
 Membership of Afghanistan to OSJD
 Membership of the Afghanistan Rail Authority (AfRA) to the International Union
of Railways (UIC) as December 2013
 Internal procedures for Pakistan’s accession to the TIR Convention is at the final
stage, in coordination with ECO and IRU
 Pakistan’s accession to COTIF is successfully completed, in close coordination
with ECO/OTIF in 2013
 The Republic of Azerbaijan’s accession to COTIF at final stages.
Status of accession of the ECO Member States to major international
agreements/conventions
As of October 2014
№
International Agreements and Conventions
AFG
AZE
IRN
KAZ
KGZ
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
1
2
3
Road Traffic (1968)
Road Signs and Signals (1968)
Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road
(CMR, 1956)
4
Temporary Importation of Commercial Road Vehicles
(1956)
x
x
5
International Transport of Goods Under Cover of TIR
Carnets (1975)
x
x
x
x
x
6
7
Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods (1982)
Customs Container Convention (1972)
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
10
Work of Crews of Vehicles engaged in International Road
Traffic (AETR, 1970)
x
11
12
Temporary Importation of Vehicles (1954)
International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR,
1957)
13
14
15
16
x
x
PAK
x
x
TJK
x
x
x
x
x
x
UZB
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs (ATP, 1970)
x
x
x
Main International Traffic Arteries (AGR, 1975)
Main International Railway Lines (AGC, 1985)
Important International Combined Transport Lines and
Related Installations (AGTC, 1991)
x
x
18. Convention concerning International Carriage of Goods by
Rail (COTIF)
TKM
x
x
17. Agreement on International carriage of Goods (SMGS)
TRK
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Capacity building activities
Transit facilitation
Workshops/training courses/conference held in 2014:
 Training Course for Afghan Railway Staff organized by the Islamic Republic of Iran
Railways from 30th May to 19th June 2014 in the city of Yazd,
 Capacity Building Workshop on TIR for Pakistan (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, 1822 August 2014.
 The Regional Workshop on Third Party Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance, Istanbul,
2nd September 2014.
 The 3rd ECO/IRU Regional Conference on Transit Transport and the TIR System,
Tehran, 26 October 2014.
 OTIF/UIC/ECO Workshop on COTIF, Tehran, 11-12 November 2014
Workshops/training courses/conference planned for 2015:
 Regional Capacity Building Workshop on ADR, modernization of border crossing
points and tachographs, Turkey
 Regional workshop on road safety, Pakistan
 Training courses for Afghan Railway Staff to be organized by Turkish Railways
 4th Regional Conference on TIR Convention, Pakistan.
Transit Facilitation
Regional study on customs component of TTFA
The ECO is in close contact with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to
commence the second phase of the Project on TTFA for preparing a regional
programme on customs transit and modernization of border crossing points in the
region.
A delegation of the ECO Secretariat will visit the IDB headquarters on this matter
soon until the end 2014.
The main objective of the study is to:
 Define possible options for effective implementation of the customs transit
related provisions of TTFA;
 Identify the prioritization of actions and ranking of activities to be undertaken
within a favourable timeframe;
 Recommend an implementation plan with a defined and preferred timeframe;
 Identify a regional model of logistic centre and customs/border gate along one
of the main corridors.
Thank You