“Iranian people will not forget Pakistan’s strong support for Iran during the recent aggression by Israel and will do its utmost to strengthen the role of ECI”, this was stated by Dr. Ali Rabiei, Deputy to the President of Iran on Social Affairs in his meeting with Dr. Saad S. Khan, President of the ECO Cultural Institute (ECI)—the specialized cultural agency of the ten-member Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO)—who called on him earlier today to discuss expanding regional cultural collaboration. Dr Rabiei, a top Iranian politician and an influential figure in the cultural field, was appointed by President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian as his Deputy last year in a move to further his policies in social and cultural fields.
Emphasizing on ECI’s role as the regional counterpart to UNESCO, Dr. Khan noted Tehran’s unique distinction as the city hosting ECI—the sole international cultural organization headquartered in Iran. He described this as a strategic opportunity for Iran to lead regional soft diplomacy and present its cultural values on a broader stage. While noting the departure of Dr Saad Khan from Tehran, the Deputy President also lauded his services in the field of culture during his tenure as President ECI in Tehran and wished him well for his future endeavors.
Dr. Rabiei welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed Iran’s full readiness to support ECI’s mission. He proposed expanding joint cultural festivals, cross-border educational exchanges, and regional social projects tailored to shared priorities. Dr Rabiei also thanked President ECI for his strong position regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Palestine.
Both sides agreed to align cultural initiatives with ECI’s development goals and use culture as a tool for unity and cooperation amid regional challenges.