H.E. Dr. Asad Majeed Khan, Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), visited the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) on April 8, 2026. The Secretary General met with Prof. Seyed Komail Tayebi (President, ECOSF) and Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Memon (Executive Director, ECOSF) to discuss strengthening science, technology and innovation (STI) cooperation across the ECO region. The meeting focused on better leveraging ECOSF as ECO’s specialized STI platform to advance high-impact regional initiatives in priority areas such as capacity building, applied research, and innovation-led development.

In his remarks, Prof. Tayebi welcomed the Secretary General and reaffirmed ECOSF’s commitment to serving as a practical bridge between ECO Member Countries—linking institutions, experts, and programs to deliver measurable STI outcomes for the region. Prof. Tayebi stated that ECOSF expects ECO member nations, particularly Turkey and Central Asian countries, to contribute more to ECOSF programs, despite the fact that ECOSF has served all members equally in its scientific endeavors.

The Secretary General emphasized the importance of robust cooperation among ECO Member Countries, particularly timely budgetary contributions to ECOSF and progress on ratification and institutional commitments that enable the Foundation to implement its mandate effectively. Prof. Tayebi also conveyed appreciation for the ECO Secretariat’s continued support and guidance, while Dr. Memon reiterates ECOSF’s readiness to work closely with the ECO Secretariat and Member States to translate shared priorities into implementable programs.