Representative of Tajikistan, Savar Bakhti, has been appointed to head the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Cultural Institute, according to the Tajik MFA information department. The ceremony reportedly took place on December 31, 2019.
In his inauguration speech, Sarvar Bakhti, in particular, noted that during a three-year chairmanship of Tajikistan in the ECO Cultural Instituted he would concentrate all his efforts on developing and improving the Institute activities.
Mr. Bakhti reportedly shared some plans and projects aimed at expanding cultural cooperation between the ECO member nations.
Meanwhile, Iranian media reports say the newly-appointed president of the Economic Cooperation Organization Cultural Institute said on December 31 that development of tourism industry is a priority of her mission through launching joint projects with other member states.
He noted that tourism causes nations of the region to gain a deeper understanding of each other, according to ISNA.
“Culture is the foundation of every society,” Mr. Bakhti noted, according to Tehran Times.
“Today, more than ever we need to work on tourism and traveling in order to prepare for the recognition of nations. In this regard, conferences and workshops will be arranged to create an opportunity for nations to get to know each other.”
On the same day, Bakhti reportedly also held a meeting with ECO Secretary General Hadi Soleimanpour to present the main themes of programs which are to be implemented during his tenure.
Sarvar Bakhti was born in 1973. He graduated from the Faculty of Oriental Languages at Tajik National University in 1995 and the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in 2006.
Mr. Bakhti had served at Tajikistan’s diplomatic missions in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and Moscow (Russia) as well as the central apparatus of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan.
ECO Cultural Institute (ECI) is affiliated with the Economic Cooperation Organization and aims at fostering understanding and the preservation of the rich cultural heritage of its members through common projects in the field of the media, literature, art, philosophy, sports and education.
Founded in 1985 in Tehran by the leaders of Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey, ECO is an Asian political and economic intergovernmental organization. It provides a platform to discuss ways to improve development and promote trade and investment opportunities. The ECO is an ad hoc organization under the United Nations Charter. The objective is to establish a single market for goods and services, much like the European Union. The ECO's secretariat and cultural department are located in Iran, its economic bureau is in Turkey and its scientific bureau is situated in Pakistan.
Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are the members of the organization.
