During the meeting, Prof. Tayebi made a brief introduction of ECOSF and said that the main objective of the Foundation is to promote and support scientific activities and scientific communities in ECO region leading to economic development. Prof. Tayebi further shared that so far Türkiye had signed the Chart of ECOSF but not ratified it, thus, he requested the Ambassador to pursue his Government to ratify the Charter and its Additional Protocol at the earliest. The ratification of the Charter and its Additional Protocol will benefit Türkiye to actively participate in decision making, job appointments and other programmes of the Foundation, added President ECOSF. Prof. Tayebi further said that Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) plays very important role for the development of any country. In this context, the role of ECOSF being a specialized agency on science becomes pivotal for the region. He also shared the ongoing and future activities of ECOSF.

He further said that ECOSF has developed collaborations with regional and international organization. Under this collaboration, ECOSF arranges and sends scientific community, students and teachers to different trainings, workshops, camps, meeting, seminars, etc to get knowledge of the latest technologies and trends in the field of STI. Prof. Tayebi shared that ECOSF has invited nominations of the teams of students and teachers to attend Belt and Road Teenager Maker Camp and Teacher Workshop to be held in China in July 2024. He further said that Türkiye has not nominated any team yet, thus, he asked the Ambassador for nomination of Turkish team as soon as possible so that the other codal formalities pertaining the participation can be completed in timely manner.

President ECOSF further said that ECOSF has planned to organize a “Technology and Trade Exhibition and Conference (TTEC)” in the month of October 2024. He also said the Foundation aims to host this conference and exhibition as its flagship and regular programmes to provide an opportunity for the Member Countries to explore new trade and investment opportunities and strengthen existing partnerships. The conference component of this event can provide a forum for academia, government officials, industry leaders, S&T professionals, and experts to discuss and exchange ideas on how to promote sustainable economic growth, regional integration and address pressing challenges in the ECO region. The TTEC would essentially provide a platform for universities, businesses, technology companies, organizations from the Member Countries to showcase their latest scientific knowledge, technologies, products, and services to network and to learn from each other with a grand vision to promote and strengthen cooperation in important areas of Science and Technology (S&T).

Excellency Dr. Mehmet Paçaci thanked President ECOSF for the briefing about ECOSF and its programmes. He assured his maximum possible support for pursing the request of ratification with his Government and realization of the programmes of the Foundation. The Ambassador also agreed that without STI, achievement of sustainable development is impossible, hence, the role of ECOSF in the field of STI is very much important and well appreciated.

Overall, this meeting signifies a potential enhancement in scientific and technological cooperation within the ECO region, with Türkiye poised to play a more active role in ECOSF, thereby contributing to and benefiting from the collective efforts towards sustainable development.