The ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF), in partnership with the National Academy of Young Scientists (NAYS), successfully organized a session of the Science Chronicles Webinar Series on “The Potential Role of Protected Areas in the Promotion of Collaboration, Scientific Research and Innovation in Management among the ECO Member Countries” on 16 April 2026. The webinar featured Mr. Ashiq Ahmad Khan, Advisor, Inter-University Consortium on Climate Change and Biodiversity; Chairman, Board of Directors – Fund for Protected Areas; and Recipient of the IUCN Kenton Miller Global Conservation Award, as the keynote speaker. The webinar was moderated by Mr. Khalil Raza, Programme Manager, ECOSF.

In his presentation, Mr. Khan highlighted the critical role of protected areas in biodiversity conservation and environmental protection across the ECO region, drawing on examples from Pakistan. He outlined the different categories and management systems of protected areas in the country, while also identifying key challenges, including limited community benefits, weak implementation of management plans, and insufficient scientific research. He emphasized that although Pakistan has a sufficient number of protected areas, stronger management and more meaningful community engagement are essential for improving outcomes, citing the successful community-led management of Khunjerab National Park as an important example.

In the Q&A session followed by lecture, participants raised thoughtful questions on biodiversity promotion, ethical considerations in research, community participation, and funding opportunities for scientific studies.

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Seyed Komail Tayebi, President ECOSF, underlined the importance of protected areas as public goods and stressed the need for closer cooperation among governments, the private sector, and local communities. He also expressed interest in continuing similar knowledge-sharing webinars in the future. Prof. Tayebi appreciated Mr. Khan for his insightful presentation, as well as NAYS and ECOSF teams for organizing the webinar.

Following the webinar, Mr. Ashiq Ahmad Khan held a dedicated meeting with Prof. Seyed Komail Tayebi – President ECOSF, to advise on potential areas and practical pathways for future collaboration in the field of protected areas, biodiversity conservation, and related scientific cooperation across the ECO region.