The experts in the field of biotechnology from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Republic of Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Tajikistan and Republic of Turkey participated in the meeting.

     The meeting was inaugurated by Dr. Khayyam Nekoui, Director General of the Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII). He emphasized the need for food security keeping in view the growing world population and benefits of biotechnology in this regard. The Director General of ABRII announced that ABRII is willing to provide access to its facilities for researchers and students from the institutes and universities of the member states for doing research in biotechnology.

     H.E. Mr. Askhat Orazbay, Secretary General of ECO, while mentioning the problems in agriculture like yield and quality losses from pests, inadequate water supply, drought, salinity, soil deterioration, low efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers and absence of appropriate biotechnological tools, said that the biotechnology may provide a significant step forward in increasing yields, improving nutrition and ensuring the sustainability of present fragile agricultural ecosystems.

     The delegates from the ECO member countries also delivered Country Reports/Presentations on Biotechnology highlighting the policies, challenges and potentials/opportunities and activities in the field of biotechnology in the countries.

     The experts approved the 3-year project and work plan for establishment of the ECO Agricultural Biotechnology Network (ECO-ABN). It is planned that the Network will be operational within two years. These objectives of the ECO-ABN are Networking of National biotechnology institutes, researchers, scientists, engineers, and administrators, linking regional activities and collaboration to international organizations and laboratories, capacity building and enhancement in the relevant institutes of the member states and conducting joint studies and research projects. Harmonization of biosafety protocols and testing in the ECO Region will also be facilitated through the Network.

The Meeting established a Steering Committee to monitor the implementation of the project. The Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII) will act as Regional Coordination Unit.

The meeting identified the following areas for implementation of joint projects:

i. Production of virus free potato mini-tubers and their propagation

ii. Preparation of Plan of Action for development/harmonization of biosafety regulations in the ECO region

iii. Intellectual Property Rights in biotechnology

iv. Capacity building e.g. establishment of basic labs and training of staff in the member states.

     During the meeting, Islamic Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Turkey announced that they can support potato tissue culture activities in Afghanistan and other relevant member countries as there is a great potential in this area. The Republic of Turkey also announced that they can set up basic laboratories in some ECO countries including Afghanistan and extend technical assistance to Afghanistan in fruit tissue culture. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan offered readiness to provide technical support to other member states for research purpose.