The 5th Meeting of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) held in Isfahan, Iran
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The 5th Meeting of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) was held on February 14, 2023, in Isfahan, Iran. The meeting was opened and chaired by the Minister for Science, Research and Technology (MSRT) of Iran, H.E. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Ali Zolfigol, and attended by representatives from Islamic Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Republic of Tajikistan, and Republic of Uzbekistan. The BoT Meeting was preceded by the 7th Meeting of Executive Committee (EC) on February 13, 2023, under the Chairmanship of President ECOSF Prof. Seyed Komail Tayebi.
During the opening ceremony of the 5th BoT Meeting, Mr. Masoud Golshirazi, President Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) welcomed the delegates to the meeting. The Chair of the 5th BoT Meeting, Minister for Science, Research and Technology, I.R of Iran, H.E Prof. Dr. Mohammad Ali Zolfigol in his statement, emphasized the importance of Science, Technology, and Innovation as the key drivers of economic growth and appreciated the efforts made by ECOSF for the promotion of science and technology in the ECO region.
President ECOSF Prof. Seyed Komail Tayebi expressed his gratitude for the Government of I.R. of Iran, MSRT, Ministries of Foreign Affairs of respective Member Countries, ICCIMA, and University of Isfahan for hosting the meeting, and providing generous hospitality and support to the ECOSF. Prof. Tayebi also expressed his appreciation for the participants, including the honorable Minister and Vice Minister of Iran, Federal Secretary, Ministry of S&T, Pakistan, and representatives from Iran, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, among others.
The ECO Secretariat was represented by Secretary General ECO. H.E. Ambassador Khusrav Noziri. Representatives of ECO Educational Institute and ECO Cultural Institute also participated in the meeting. In addition, ECOSF Collaborators, including the Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), University of Isfahan, Isfahan Regional Center for Science Parks (IRIS), Isfahan Science and Technology Town (ISTT), Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), and Art University of Isfahan, participated in the meeting as observers. After the opening ceremony, the Chair of the 5th BoT Prof. Zolfigol delegated Prof. Dr. Vahid Haddadi Asl, Vice Minister for International affairs, MSRT I.R. of Iran to chair the rest of proceedings of the meeting.
The Secretary General ECO, Ambassador Khusrav Noziri in his remarks appreciated the role of the ECO Science Foundation as an incubator of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) in the region. While commending the efforts of the ECO Science Foundation to foster scientific cooperation amongst the Member States, the Secretary General hoped that the ECOSF would continue with its meaningful role and contribution to support our region’s sustainable advancement in the progressive world of science and technology.
During the meeting, President Tayebi highlighted the major achievements, international and regional linkages developed by the Foundation. Later, Prof. Tayebi invited Engr. Khalil Raza to present the progress in detail on the ongoing programmes of the Foundation, which included several new initiatives for providing strategic technical and scientific support to the ECO Member Countries in the important areas of Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy Guidelines, including Climate Change, clean energy, and electric mobility.
The President ECOSF Prof. Tayebi as the Secretary BoT also briefed the Meeting on the proposal for ECOSF Strategic Plan and Organizations Restructuring Agenda. The Strategic Plan aims to strengthen ECOSF in developing a deep understanding of the specific challenges and needs of each member country and build the capacity to effectively carry out the organization's mandate. The Board appreciated the Foundation on its Strategic Plan and also for undertaking several important initiatives and programmes to provide technical and scientific support to the ECO Member Countries in the areas of Climate Change, clean energy, Technology Enhanced Learning and electric mobility.
On the sidelines of the 5th Board of Trustees Meeting, President ECOSF Prof. Seyed Komail Tayebi also met with the Minister for Science, Research and Technology, I.R of Iran, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Ali Zolfigol. Prof Tayebi expressed his vision and ambitions for scaling up the scientific and technological activities of the Foundation for sustainable development in the region. Prof. Tayebi further sought support of the Minister Prof. Zolfigol to strengthen the Foundation. Prof. Zolfigol assured his robust support on behalf the Government of I.R of Iran.
Subsequently, the Heads of delegations delivered their country statements, appreciating I.R of Iran for hosting the meeting. They also appreciated the potential role of regional cooperation in the fields of science, technology, engineering, research, and innovation.
Towards the end of opening ceremony, the President University of Isfahan, Prof. Dr. Hossein Harsij in his vote of thanks, expdressed his gratitude to Government of Iran for hosting the 5th BoT Meeting of the Foundation and appreciated the all the honorable delegates and representatives of the ECO Member Countries for their support to the ECO Science Foundation.
At the end of the opening ceremony of 5th BoT meeting, an MoU between ECOSF and University of Isfahan was signed and witnessed by the delegates of the meeting. The BoT evaluated the performance and programmes of the Foundation since its last meeting and highly appreciated the performance of the Foundation despite the budgetary constraints. The BoT also approved new initiatives, strategic and work plans of ECOSF. The Meeting ended with vote of thanks.