Scientific, engineering, technological cooperation: Pakistan hosts third meeting of ECOSF

The 3rd meeting of the Board of Trustees of ECO Science Foundation representatives of the Member States of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) namely; the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Tajikistan held in Islamabad on Friday.
The 3rd Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the ECO Science Foundation, hosted by the Government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and chaired by Mr Fazal Abbas Maken the Federal Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) of Pakistan. They reiterated firm commitment and desire to continue devoted efforts to make the ECOSF more active, efficient and a result-oriented specialised agency of ECO.
They also expressed deep satisfaction over the holding of the 3rd BoT meeting of ECOSF; commended the initiatives & programmes begun and the role & status gained by ECOSF in the comity of scientific and technological organisations and forums world-wide; expressed profound thanks to the Government of the I.R. of Pakistan in particular, the MoST for making excellent arrangements for the meeting and extending warm hospitality to the participants.
While commending 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.
Moreover, they appreciated ECOSF for providing travel grant to the scientists/engineers/ technologists of ECO member states to participate in International S&T conferences/workshops; successfully organising the meeting/conference of eminent scientists/experts of ECO Member States to prioritise the focus areas of research for funding under its S&T Fund; 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 Organisation (TWESCO), Kazakhstan and LAMAP Foundation of France.
They further emphasised ECOSF to establish a framework of cooperation to explore opportunities to enhance exchange of scientists, technologists and engineers for participation in S&T activities; strengthen collaborations among R&D organisations & universities ; focus on capacity-building of the scientific and technical human resource with emphasis on youth engagement, foster their talent to increase their innovation capacity by equipping more people with the skills required to contribute to innovation, and by inspiring Young People to enter innovation-related occupations in the region.
Meanwhile, urging the ECOSF to pursue collaborative programs, with relevant organisations, 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.
Likewise, emphasised on the non-ratifying Member States namely; Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Turkey, and Republic of Uzbekistan to expedite the process of ECOSF Charter ratification to become active members of the Foundation
Furthermore, it was called upon all the ratifying member states to make their budgetary contributions timely for smooth running of the Foundation. Also invite the member states to make generous voluntary contributions to the "Science and Technology Fund" of the Foundation for initiating joint collaborative research projects in priority areas. Members also agreed to the need for ECOSF to organise and plan various Regional conferences on S&T with the assistance of ECO Secretariat, member states and its international partners and collaborators including UN agencies.
They thanked to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in particular, the Ministry of Science and Technology for making excellent arrangements for success of the Meeting as well as for extending warm hospitality to the participants.-PR