ECO Science Foundation and EvK2CNR joined hands to promote the ecological integrity of Pakistan and the region - 23 April, 2014

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Islamabad 23 April, 2014. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Economic Cooperation Organization Science Foundation (ECOSF)- a regional intergovernmental organization, and EvK2CNR- chartered association, an Italian Foundation for the promotion of Scientific Research and Capacity Building of relevant stakeholders to contribute to filling serious gaps in research-based management of natural resources; better understanding of problems and issues of selected protected areas; and finding solutions of ecology-linked economic problems. The MoU was signed by the Presidents of the two organizations. The Federal Minister of Science and Technology, Government of Pakistan Mr. Zahid Hamid presided over the MoU signing ceremony.

While speaking on the occasion, the Federal Minister who is also the Chairman of Board of Trustees of ECOSF, appreciated the initiative of the two scientific organizations and assured them of the full cooperation of the S&T Ministry. The Minister was flanked by his team led by Federal Secretary Mr. Kamran Ali Qureshi, Additional Secretary and Joint Scientific Adviser (International Liaison). The Minister further shared that he has been involved in numerous environmental laws and is quite aware of the environmental degradation and climate change effects on biodiversity, thus appreciates the need for ecological research and environmental protection. "Thus I would fully support the initiative of ECOSF and EvK2CNR and encourage both the organizations to work on more Biosphere Reserves in Pakistan and some trans-boundary as well", he said.

Earlier, the two heads of the partner organizations highlighted the need for such a cooperation in view of the available capacities that need further strengthening for scientific research and awareness and their applications in the field.

President ECO Science Foundation Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro after welcoming the dignitaries, highlighted the aims and objectives of ECOSF and said that environment and biodiversity are the two priority areas of the 10 country-Intergovernmental organization based in Islamabad. He further said that since most of the natural ecosystems of Pakistan are extended across the borders, the partners also intend to explore ways to address the problems of the greater chunks of such landscapes.

Mr. Agostino Polenzo- the President of EvK2CNR thanked the Minister for his time and support and assured him of full scientific contribution to Pakistan and also in the ECO region. On this occasion the First Secretary from Italian Embassy Dr. Fedrrico Bianchi shared some of the major contributions of Italian Government in Pakistan in the fields of science & technology and higher education, and assured for continued support. He particularly endorsed the MoU signed by the EvK2CNR and ECOSF.

The two organizations will prepare their action plans and implement as envisaged in the MoU.