ECO Science Foundation to be established in Pakistan
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—A two-day moot of Experts Group from ECO States Tuesday decided to establish Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Science Foundation with its headquarter in Islamabad.
The meeting also resolved that the member states would contribute mandatory financial assistance for running the ECO Science Foundation and its projects in a befitting manner.
Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Dr. N M Butt chaired the meeting on second day which drafted an additional protocol for Charter of the ECO Science Foundation and agreed that with ratification of the member states, the Charter had already entered into force.
It was also decided to establish a voluntary Science and Technology Fund comprising of donations, endowments and voluntary contributions by member states and international agencies.
The Fund would specifically be utilized for funding the projects of Science Foundation.The meeting welcomed the offer of Iran for contributing an amount of US$ 100,000 for initial establishment of the foundation.
The experts emphasized the need for appointing National Focal Points and relevant National Focal Organisations for the ECO Science Foundation. These focal institutions will work with the Secretariat on matters relating to the foundation.
The members agreed to call second Experts Group Meeting in consultation with the member states to finalise time frame for convening the Board of Trustees' meeting. Chairman of Pakistan Science Foundation Dr N.M Butt told APP that the meeting would prove helpful for scientific development in the ECO countries as all the member states have shown commitment to share scientific information and resources.
He said that Ministry of Science and Technology, Pakistan would make arrangements to provide building and infrastructure for the headquarter of the ECO Science Foundation.
Experts Group Meeting was attended by delegations from ECO member countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakistan, Kyrgyzistan, Tajikstan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and ECO secretariat in Teheran.