Structure

The Economic Cooperation Organization Clean Energy Center (CECECO) operates in accordance with its Charter, which establishes the Centre’s governance structure and defines the responsibilities of its governing bodies. CECECO’s governance structure comprises four bodies:

Board of Governors

The Board of Governors is the principal policy and decision-making body of CECECO and provides strategic guidance for achieving the Centre’s objectives.

It consists of the Ministers of Energy or officials of equivalent rank from ECO Member States, the ECO Secretary General, and the Executive Director of CECECO. The Board meets annually on a rotational basis among Member States.

09 September 2025 · Virtual meeting

First meeting of the Board of Governors

The ECO Secretariat convened the first meeting of the Board of Governors of CECECO on 9 September 2025, marking an important milestone in regional clean energy cooperation. The meeting brought together representatives of ECO Member States, international partners, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Delegates welcomed the establishment of CECECO and the entry into force of its Charter, expressing appreciation to the Government of Azerbaijan for hosting the Centre and supporting the regional clean energy agenda.

A key outcome of the meeting was the appointment of Ms. Aysel Yagubova as the first Executive Director of CECECO. Having served as Interim Director since May 2025, she officially assumed the position on 9 September 2025.

The meeting was attended by senior representatives of ECO Member States and partner organizations, including:

Mr. Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Mr. Sungat Yessimkhanov, Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Ms. Nazgul Usenova, Deputy Minister of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic
Mr. Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Federal Minister for Energy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Mr. Zafer Demircan, Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Türkiye
Mr. Umid Mamadaminov, Deputy Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan
Mr. Asad M. Khan, Secretary General of ECO
Mr. Martin Lugmayr, Coordinator of UNIDO’s Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres (GN-SEC)

UNIDO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting CECECO during its initial operational phase through technical assistance, mentorship, and resource mobilization. Delegates also highlighted the Centre’s role in advancing renewable energy and energy efficiency, supporting industrial decarbonization, and contributing to the implementation of the COP29 Green Energy Pledge on Green Energy Zones and Corridors.

The meeting concluded with an invitation to partners to showcase CECECO’s achievements at the Vienna Energy and Climate Forum in April 2026.

Executive Board

The Executive Board consists of:

Representatives from the Contracting Parties;
The ECO Secretary General or his/her representative;
The Executive Director of the Center.

The Executive Board is responsible for implementing the decisions of the Board of Governors. Its main responsibilities include reviewing the Centre’s annual work programmes, budget, reports and financial statements; initiating or determining projects, where necessary; and supporting the development of integrated strategies.

The Executive Board holds ordinary meetings twice a year and may convene extraordinary meetings as often as it considers necessary.

14 May 2026 · Virtual meeting

First meeting of the Executive Board

First Meeting of the Executive Board

The first meeting of CECECO’s Executive Board was held on 14 May 2026, under the chairmanship of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Ashraf Shikhaliyev, Director of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministries of Energy of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of the ECO and CECECO Secretariat.

The Executive Director, Ms. Aysel Yagubova, presented the Centre’s Activity Report for September 2025–April 2026 and draft Work Plan for May–December 2026. The Board welcomed the progress achieved during the Centre’s initial operational period and took note of the proposed Work Plan.

Other agenda items included the discussion on the CECECO Distinction Award and the draft Staff Regulations and Financial Regulations. Board members provided comments on the proposed Award, including the need for further clarification of award categories and nomination procedures. Members also indicated that they would undertake further review of the draft regulations at the national level and would submit written comments.

The meeting further addressed possible CECECO participation at COP31 in Türkiye, an international energy management training programme in Ankara, and arrangements for the second meeting of the Executive Board, proposed for October or November 2026.

Summary based on the draft report of the 1st Meeting of the Executive Board, dated 14 May 2026.

Technical Committee

The Technical Committee consists of experts and scientists in the field of sustainable energy development, with an emphasis on clean energy and energy efficiency. Partner organizations, designated private-sector representatives, and the ECO Secretariat are also represented on the Committee. The Technical Committee provides technical guidance to the Executive Board and advises the Secretariat on the Centre’s work. Its responsibilities include reviewing technical documents, making recommendations, and monitoring the Centre’s progress. The Committee is chaired by the Executive Director and meets at least twice a year, with the presence of not less than two-thirds of its members.

Secretariat

The Secretariat is headed by the Executive Director, who is appointed by the Board of Governors. The Executive Director is responsible for carrying out the general policies and decisions of the Board of Governors and the Executive Board, as well as implementing the Centre’s approved programmes. The Secretariat supports the Centre’s day-to-day operations and the implementation of its activities in accordance with the decisions and approved programmes of its governing bodies.