Culture can help ease tensions, build trust and sustain dialogue even when political differences strain relations between countries, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Hassan, President of the ECO Cultural Institute, said in an interview with Iran Daily.
TEHRAN, 27 October 2026
Speaking to the newspaper, Dr. Muhammad Hassan argued that relations between countries could not be understood solely through the lenses of foreign policy, trade or economic cooperation. Cultural diplomacy, he said, offered another means of bringing people and governments closer together, creating opportunities for dialogue where misunderstandings might otherwise deepen.
Bringing together writers, intellectuals, artists and specialists from across the region can help people understand one another beyond political boundaries, Dr. Hassan said. Such exchanges are particularly valuable among neighbouring countries, where insufficient communication can allow misconceptions to undermine otherwise deep-rooted historical and cultural connections.
The longstanding ties between Iran and Pakistan offer a strong foundation for closer cooperation, he said. Their shared linguistic and literary heritage, including the Persian roots of a substantial part of Urdu vocabulary, provides opportunities for joint cultural initiatives, literary exchanges and programmes introducing each country’s cultural legacy to wider audiences.
Dr. Muhammad Hassan also highlighted the enduring influence of figures such as Muhammad Iqbal, Hafez and Saadi, whose works form part of the wider cultural heritage shared across the region. He pointed to the legacy of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani, a prominent scholar and mystic known in Pakistan as Shah-e-Hamadan, as another example of the historical connections that can support cultural cooperation.
The institute’s work, however, extends beyond bilateral relations. Strengthening cultural links among all member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) remains one of its central objectives. Hassan said the institute had worked to develop networks among universities and strengthen connections between artists, cultural producers, writers and filmmakers across the region.
Literary translation is another area with considerable potential, he said, particularly the exchange of Persian and Urdu works. By making literature accessible across linguistic boundaries, such initiatives can deepen public understanding of neighbouring societies and reinforce a sense of shared cultural heritage.
The institute’s Introducing Member Countries programme follows a similar approach, bringing together cultural meetings and events designed to present the histories, cultures and civilisations of ECO member states. The recent Pakistan Through the Ages programme was part of these efforts, offering audiences a broader understanding of Pakistan’s cultural heritage and creating further opportunities for regional exchange.
Despite these initiatives, Dr. Muhammad Hassan acknowledged that the institute faced significant constraints. Limited financial resources, staff shortages and the participation of only some of the ECO’s 10 member states in its activities have restricted its ability to pursue all its objectives.
Broader participation by member states, stronger regional cooperation and additional resources would allow the institute to expand its programmes and increase their impact, he said.
For Dr. Muhammad Hassan, the importance of cultural diplomacy lies in its ability to preserve channels of communication even when political relations become difficult. The region’s shared history is not simply a legacy to be commemorated, but a foundation on which countries can build greater understanding and more sustained cooperation.