25th RPC of ECO in Tehran-Iran, 1-5 March 2015: Participation Report of ECOSF Delegation

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Regional Planning Council (RPC) is the most important planning body within ECO which evolves annual programmes for realization of the objectives of the Organization.

25th Regional Planning Council (RPC) of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was held in ECO Secretariat Tehran- Iran from 1-5 March 2015. ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) was represented by a two member delegation comprising the President ECOSF, Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro and Mr. Adnan Ali Abbasi, Accounts officer.

The Meeting was attended by the delegations from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Republic of Azerbaijan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Turkey and Republic of Uzbekistan. The delegations from the Turkish Cypriot State and the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States also attended the Meeting as Observers. The presidents and representatives of ECO Specialized Agencies, Regional Institutions and Affiliated Bodies, namely ECO Cultural Institute, ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF), ECO Trade & Development Bank, ECO College of Insurance, ECO Regional Center for Risk Management for Natural Disasters (ECO-RCRM), ECO Research Centre and ECO Institute of Environment and Science Technology also participated in the Meeting.

The Meeting was opened with the introductory remarks by the ECO Secretary General, Ambassador Dr. Shamil Aleskerov and inaugural statement by Dr. Mohammad Khazaee, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Secretary General in his report to the opening plenary session highlighted the main activities of the Organization during the year 2014. Referring to the current reform process, he requested the Member States to develop reform-supportive work programme for the Organization.

The Iranian dignitary, in his inaugural statement, expressed the hope that the Meeting will help in initiating result-oriented activities, compatible with the available resources and the priorities of Member States which would also increase the overall efficiency and performance of the Organization.

Afterwards, inaugural statements were made by the Heads of Delegations of all participating Member States and the presidents and representatives of ECO Specialized Agencies, Regional Institutions and Affiliated Bodies.

Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro, President ECOSF while representing ECOSF highlighted the achievements of 2014, challenges faced and plans for 2015-16. He express gratitude to all Member States especially the Host Country I.R. of Pakistan and ECO Secretariat for their continuous support to the Foundation. He acknowledged with appreciation the good news of ratification of ECOSF charter by Afghanistan in 2014. He also acknowledged the initial payment of mandatory budget contribution by I.R. of Iran during 2014.

Dr. Soomro emphasized on the development of good interaction with numerous international S&T organizations and donors for supporting programs of the Foundation; included UNESCO, ISTIC Malaysia, La main a la pate Foundation of France, European Union, COMSATS, EvK2-CNR of Italy and Science Education Program of Inter Academy Panel (IAP). He specially shared a brief report on successfully organizing 3- days International Conference on "Emerging Trends in Life Sciences for Sustainable Development" held in Lahore Pakistan from 9-11 October 2014 and its sponsorship by EU. He proposed to the ECO forum for participation in the next session of UNESCO General Assembly for the betterment of ECO Region.

President ECOSF also participated as an observer in a separate meeting of ECO Secretary General and heads of delegations of Member States for exchanging views on the progress of the ECO Vision 2015 and the possible directions for the new ECO Vision 2016-2025 in the context of structural reforms in the light of recommendations by the Eminent Persons Group (EPG). President ECOSF during the stay in Tehran also had sideline visits to various Iranian Research Institutes, Technology Innovation Centers and met with various stakeholders as enlisted below.

1. 28 Feb 2015- Visit of Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII) - Karaj Tehran & ECO Agricultural Biotechnology Network (ECOABN) to discuss the possibility of developing cooperation and networking amongst Iran and other ECO Member Countries in the field of Agriculture Biotechnology. [ www.abrii.ac.ir ]
2. 2 March 2015- Visit to PARDIS Technology Park in outskirts of Tehran-Iran for exploring the avenues of science & technology cooperation and transfer amongst Iran and other ECO Member States. ECOSF delegation was received and briefed by President of the Techno Park Mr. Mahdi Safarinia. [ www.techpark.ir ]
3. 3 March 2015 - Visit to Institute of Cognitive Science Studies (ICSS) at its new campus in PARDIS Techno Park area. He was received by Mr. M. Hossein Nosrat, who also gave him a round of the laboratories and animal house, where experiments on the working of mice brain were in progress. They also shared the information of their next International Conference on Cognitive Sciences to be held in April 2015. [ www.iricss.org ]
4. 5 March 2015 - Visit to Center for Innovation and Technology Cooperation (CITC) in Tehran-Iran and had a meeting with Dr. Syed Ali Akramifar, Head of CITC. CITC is a policy making center of Iran for Innovation and Technology Cooperation and key stakeholder for entering in to technology transfer agreements. CITC also displays a range of technological products developed by Iranian R&D institutions.[ www.citc.ir ]