On November 28, 2023, a meeting was held at the Turkmenistan Embassy in Tehran between H.E. Dr. Saad S. Khan, President of the ECO Cultural Institute, and H.E. Mr. Ahmed K. Gurbanov, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Islamic Republic of Iran. The encounter was significant in promoting cultural cooperation between the two sides.
Dr. Khan and the Turkmen Ambassador discussed the mission of ECI during their meeting. They focused on the importance of cultural exchange and heritage preservation across all ten ECO member states. The Ambassador expressed Turkmenistan's commitment to this shared vision and suggested that the ECO Cultural Institute should actively participate in cultural events organized in ECO member countries.
During the meeting, the ECI President suggested the idea of organizing an international military music festival, which would bring together military bands from ECO member states, Turkmenistan included. This festival aims to promote harmony and unity through the power of music, and its impact is expected to transcend borders.
Additionally, Dr. Khan introduced the ECO Youth Award, aimed at recognizing remarkable young individuals aged 18 to 30 who have made significant contributions in areas such as research, arts, culture, sports, and more. The award will be an annual event, highlighting ECI's dedication to encouraging young talents. The President of ECI requested Turkmenistan's assistance in promoting the awards.
Ambassador Gurbanov welcomed ECI’s endeavors and pledged to facilitate future interactions. The meeting concluded with a promise of collaborative cultural events between Turkmenistan and ECI.