ECO Agrees To Enhance Sci & Tech Cooperation

 ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th August, 2016) : The representatives of ECO countries have reiterated their firm commitment and desired to continue devoted efforts to make the ECOSF more active, efficient and a result-oriented specialized agency. The Representatives of the Member States of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Tajikistan met in Islamabad on August 18, on the occasion of the 3rd Meeting of the board of Trustees of the ECO Science Foundation, hosted by Pakistan. The meeting was chaired by Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) Fazal Abbas Maken, said a press release issued by MoST. The participants expressed deep satisfaction over the holding of the 3rd BoT Meeting of ECOSF and commended the initiatives and programmes and the role & status gained by ECOSF in the comity of scientific and technological organizations worldwide. They commended the ECOSF IBSE programme for capacity building on delivering quality science education based on the concept of "inquiry" or critical thinking which is vital in training the minds for understanding the world, through improving science literacy leading to sustainable development. The representatives appreciated ECOSF for providing travel grant to the scientists, engineers and technologists of ECO member states to participate in international S&T events and successfully organizing the meetings of eminent Scientists of ECO member states to priorities the focus areas of research for funding under its S&T Fund.

They agreed on developing collaboration with S&T institutions of the member states for organizing scientific activities, continuously tapping various international sources for expansion of ECOSF collaboration particularly the MoUs signed with The Turkic World Educational and Scientific Cooperation Organization (TWESCO), Kazakhstan and LAMAP Foundation of France. They emphasized ECOSF to establish a framework of cooperation to explore opportunities to enhance exchange of scientists, technologists and engineers for participation in S&T activities and strengthen collaborations among R&D organizations and universities. The members urged the ECOSF to pursue collaborative programmes, with relevant organizations, to address the priority issues of transfer of technology, global warming, climate change, energy, environment, water harvesting & conservation and reuse, biodiversity conservation, food Security, which are all essential for attaining the UN Sustainable Development Goals.