H.E. Mr. Sharifzoda Yousuf Toir, Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan to Pakistan, visited the Secretariat of the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) on the invitation of the President ECOSF, Professor Seyed Komail Tayebi, on February 26, 2026. During the visit, the Ambassador was warmly received by the President and officials of the Foundation.

During the visit, a comprehensive presentation was delivered highlighting the Foundation’s mandate, strategic vision, and ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting scientific cooperation, innovation, and sustainable development across the ECO region.

The briefing also covered ECOSF’s key programmes in science, technology and innovation (STI), human resource development, institutional capacity building, and regional research collaboration. The emphasis was placed on Tajikistan’s participation in ECOSF-supported initiatives, including high-level policy forums, international conferences held in Dushanbe, regional training workshops, and youth engagement programmes such as the Belt and Road Teenager Maker Camps.

The Ambassador was also apprised of ECOSF’s recent regional activities, including international conferences, science diplomacy engagements, technical training programmes, and collaborative initiatives under multilateral frameworks.

Matters relating to ECOSF’s annual budget and mandatory contributions by ratified Member States were discussed in a constructive manner. The President ECOSF highlighted the importance of timely financial contributions to ensure the effective implementation of approved programmes and expansion of regional scientific cooperation.

H.E Mr. Toir thanked the President ECOSF for the invitation. He appreciated the role of ECOSF in promoting Science, Technology, Innovation (STI) based activities in the region. He also shared that the Government of Tajikistan is prioritizing STI as a central focus in its national development agenda. A new Science Agency has been formed to achieve the sustainable development in the field of science and technology, he added. The Ambassador shared that Tajikistan has the world’s cheapest electricity due to abundant water resources. Taking this comparative advantage and the favourable environment, the Government of Tajikistan is building multiple large scale Data Centres. This will be a game changer, he affirmed.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening collaboration between ECOSF and the Republic of Tajikistan in the fields of science, technology, innovation, education, and sustainable development.

The visit reflects the shared resolve of ECOSF and Tajikistan to deepen institutional engagement and promote regional connectivity through science and innovation.