Tehran, August 9, 2026 – The ECO Cultural Institute (ECI) has published its July 2026 Newsletter, highlighting the Institute’s recent initiatives in cultural cooperation, heritage preservation, scholarly exchange, and regional collaboration among the ECO Member States.
The third issue of the ECI Newsletter features four major initiatives: a regional consultation on the manuscript heritage of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani; the participation of the ECI President in the Sixth Meeting of the ECO Science Foundation Board of Trustees; the publication of a special issue of ECO Heritage on cultural policies in the ECO Member States; and the launch of the First ECO International Mobile Photography Festival, “Our Heritage.”
The newsletter reflects ECI’s continued efforts to advance the cultural dimension of regional cooperation and to promote culture as a bridge for dialogue, mutual understanding, and sustainable development.
The featured regional consultation on the manuscript heritage of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani brought together scholars, researchers, and cultural experts from Iran, Tajikistan, and Pakistan to explore practical approaches to the collection, critical editing, and publication of his manuscripts, while strengthening regional cooperation in manuscript studies.
The issue also highlights the publication of a special issue of ECO Heritage dedicated to “Cultural Policies in ECO Member States.” The publication presents a comparative study of cultural policy frameworks across all ten ECO Member States, covering areas including cultural governance, heritage preservation, cultural and creative industries, digital transformation, cultural education, cultural diplomacy, and regional cooperation.
Another key initiative featured in the newsletter is the First ECO International Mobile Photography Festival, “Our Heritage,” launched under the theme “Passing on Heritage.” The festival invites participants from all ten ECO Member States to document the transmission of cultural knowledge, skills, customs, rituals, craftsmanship, music, and oral traditions from one generation to the next through mobile photography. Submissions are open until 12 September 2026.
The July 2026 Newsletter provides an overview of ECI’s ongoing efforts to preserve the region’s shared cultural heritage, promote knowledge and scholarly exchange, and strengthen cultural cooperation among the ECO Member States.