On the last day of his three-day trip to Isfahan province of Iran, Sarvar Bakhti, the ECI President, met with the Mayor of Isfahan, Dr. Ghodratollah Norouzi.
According to ECO Cultural Institute, while welcoming the ECI president, Isfahan's mayor expressed his support for organizing joint cultural programs with this international organization.
Further at the meeting, he pointed to the initiative of Isfahan Municipality in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in holding a video conference of the mayors of ECO member states and added: "Necessary measures are being taken to organize the meeting for the exchange of experiences in the fight against the corona crisis."
Isfahan's Mayor also suggested to hold cultural weeks of ECO member countries in cooperation with Isfahan Municipality at its headquarters and said: "Isfahan International Conference Hall can host various meetings of high-level officials of ECO countries and the ECO Cultural Institute can plan for programs to be carried out at this center".
According to the same report, at the same meeting, Sarvar Bakhti, the president of the ECO Cultural Institute, expressed his earnest willingness to revive the ECI branch office in Isfahan and said: The Institute has an idea called "ECO Art" on its agenda aiming to declare a city as the 'handicrafts capital of the ECO region' and thus carry out activities in this regard.
He continued his remarks saying: "At first, Tehran, as the headquarters of the ECO Cultural Institute, was being considered for this title but now that I have traveled to Isfahan, taking into account the number of craftsmen of in this city and the two global brands of Isfahan in the field of handicrafts, including a UNESCO Creative City of handicrafts and folk arts, the nomination needs to be changed and Isfahan be declared as the 'Handicrafts Capital of ECO Region'. Therefore, we will consider this change in our agenda".
Concluding his remarks, the president of the ECO Cultural Institute expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome of Isfahan officials and artists and hoped that in the near future, a large number of tourists from ECO member countries could see Isfahan.
It is worth mentioning that holding the joint video conference of the mayors of ECO member states, initiated by Isfahan Municipality, expanding cooperation in the field of cultural and health tourism as well as holding the event "Norouz Without Borders" to be hosted by Isfahan and to be attended by the ambassadors of ECO countries residing in Iran were other proposals raised at this meeting which will be examined by the professionals of the fields for implementation.