In August 2019, Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri, president of the Eco Cultural Institute, met with Mohammad Khodadi, Deputy Minister for Press and Information of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
During the meeting, attended by Alireza Shiroui, Director General of Foreign Media at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Dr. Mazaheri emphasized on the necessity of expanding interactions among the ten ECO member states through joint unions and said: " For the first time, during the incumbent period of management at ECI, we put on our agenda the establishment of three media-focused unions: ECOMU (for the state-run televisions), ECO Digital (for the virtual media) and ECO Press (for journalists), which have been fortunately realized. "
"The ten ECO member states need to expand joint media activities in various fields of news and information, network and joint TV productions as well as organizing annual joint digital markets and exhibitions," said the ECI president while highlighting the special position of media in the promotion of public diplomacy.
Continuing his remark, the ECI president said: "ECI has done its best efforts to plan the formation of these unions from which the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance might be most benefited." Concluding his remarks, Dr. Mazaheri acknowledged the cooperation rendered by the Press deputies of the Ministry of Culture.
Mohammad Khodadi, Deputy Minister for Press and Information of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, also welcomed Dr. Mazaheri's views and initiative in expanding joint media cooperation among the ten ECO member states and said: "The expanision of cooperation in the region, particularly the ECO region, has been underlined by the supreme leader of the Islamic Revolution and the government. "
He also stated that the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance is fully prepared for the expansion of media cooperation with the ECO Cultural Institute, adding: "Dr. Mazaheri's presence is a great opportunity for carrying out important and joint media measures across ECO region."
At the end of the meeting, the Deputy Minister of Culture for Press suggested that, with the cooperation of the ECO Cultural Institute, joint meetings be held with the ambassadors of the member states in order to plan the meetings of their respective press officials.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Mohammad Khodadi, Alireza Shiravi, Mojtaba Moshiri and Mohammad Mahmoodi were officially appointed as ECO Press founding borad members.