The ECO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Huseyin Avni Bıçaklı, along with ECO Director for Human Resource and Sustainable Development Dr. Husnu Tekin participated in the International Conference on Combating Sand and Dust Storms.
In his inaugural remarks, the Honorable President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E. Dr. Ebrahim Raisi noted that the problems caused by sand and dust storms could be addressed through efficient use of scientific and research centers, establishment of a financial fund and provision of cultural and media attachments.
Addressing the event, Ambassador Bıçaklı stressed that sand and dust storms pose a formidable and widespread challenge that appears to impede regional and global efforts towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He highlighted the endeavours being made by ECO countries for developing a joint mechanism aimed at responding to natural disasters, especially the ECO Regional Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction. He further underscored that addressing sand and dust storms requires effective and practical measures to reduce environmental degradation in all its manifestations and an integrated approach at the international and regional levels. Such an approach should mainstream sustainable development into global, regional, and national development plans, strategies and budgeting, ECO Deputy Secretary General added.
Held on September 9, 2023 in Tehran, the event was jointly organized by Islamic Republic of Iran and the United Nations.
