The ECO Cultural Institute (ECI), in line with its mission to deepen regional integration and strengthen mutual understanding among nations, held the first of its specialized series of meetings introducing ECO member states, with a focus on the rich culture, history, and civilization of "Afghanistan" on June 2, 2026, at the Institute’s headquarters.
The meeting, attended by a group of scholars, academics, and representatives of cultural institutions, emphasized the distinguished status of Afghanistan's historical cities, such as Balkh, Herat, and Ghazni. While honoring the country's prominent figures and luminaries, the participants stressed the necessity of preserving the cultural and artistic treasures of this land and acknowledged its pivotal role in consolidating civilizational ties among ECO member states.
At the opening of the ceremony, Mr. Mohammad Hassan, President of the ECO Cultural Institute, while welcoming the guests and scholars, described culture as the most enduring element of connection among nations. He stated: "In a world undergoing rapid political and economic transformations, culture knows no borders; it flows through the historical memory, poetry, and music of the people of this region. The ECO Cultural Institute believes that sustainable regional integration is not achieved solely through economic cooperation but requires the strengthening of mutual cultural understanding. Therefore, this series of meetings will serve as a window to revisit our shared heritage and take effective step toward consolidating cultural ties among ECO members."
In the specialized session of the meeting, Dr. Sayed Askar Mousavi, a contemporary writer and historian of Afghanistan, delivered a lecture titled "Historical Evolution of the Culture and Traditions of Afghanistan," exploring the evolution of the country’s culture and the formation of its age-old traditions throughout history, while explaining the role of these developments in shaping the authentic Afghan identity.
Subsequently, Dr. Yaman Hekmat, a writer and former lecturer at Kabul University, while delving into the subject "Afghanistan, Historical Geography, and Its Role in Cultural Resilience," identified the geographical and historical foundations of the land as the primary factor in the endurance of cultural values and the national identity of the Afghan people in the face of the tempests of historical events. Furthermore, in the Q&A session, concepts such as cultural geography and the dimensions of social resilience in Afghanistan were subjected to rigorous scrutiny by researchers.
Mr. Mehrdad Rakhshandeh, Executive Director of the ECO Cultural Institute, also addressed the meeting by outlining the Institute's future plans for the continuation of this series of cultural events. He stated: "Organizing these meetings to acquaint the younger generation with shared cultural roots is a priority in the Institute's executive agenda, as revisiting civilizational heritage provides a vital platform for connecting the new generation with the region's historical identity."
In the final part of the ceremony, which was moderated by Dr. Sedigheh Ebrahimi, and while welcoming strategic proposals for developing cultural interactions, such as publishing scholarly works and producing diverse cultural products, the speakers were honored, and the meeting concluded with the participants taking a commemorative photograph.