A/RES/69/111 Cooperation between the United Nations and the Economic Cooperation Organization 27. Appreciates the joint cooperation between the Economic Cooperation Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in conducting, in October 2013, the first training course on the development of a CountrySTAT programme for implementation of the project on support for the implementation and development of the CountrySTAT framework in the Economic Cooperation Organization countries, acknowledges the progress made in the implementation of the first phase of the project in Afghanistan, and supports the efforts made by the two sides for the implementation of the project across the region; 28. Welcomes the joint cooperation of the Economic Cooperation Organization and the Institute for Statistics of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in conducting, in December 2013, a training workshop on science, technology and innovation indicators for member countries of the Economic Cooperation Organization, and invites the Institute to consider extending technical assistance for the development of statistical activities in the area of research and development and innovation statistics in the region; 29. Appreciates the efforts and activities of the Drug and Organized Crime Coordination Unit of the Economic Cooperation Organization in compiling and disseminating drug-related data, especially for publishing the report on the regional drug situation for the period 2008–2012, in organizing workshops and training programmes aimed at enhancing the technical and professional expertise of the officials working in the relevant anti-narcotics forces and agencies of its member States, in taking measures to harmonize the policies and drug-related laws and regulations of three member States, namely Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and in contributing to the alternative development policies and programmes in Afghanistan, welcomes the extension of the European Union-funded project in the member countries of the Organization, and encourages the donor agencies, such as the European Commission and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, to consider providing technical and financial assistance to the Unit in its efforts against drug-related and other related crimes; 30. Also appreciates the contributions made by the Economic Cooperation Organization towards reconstruction and development in Afghanistan, commends its active participation in and constructive contributions to various regional and international initiatives on Afghanistan, and especially appreciates its support for the high-level Core Group of Regional Forum Secretaries-General, established at the meeting of the regional bodies on 19 July 2010, the Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan and the Istanbul Process on Regional Security and Cooperation for a Secure and Stable Afghanistan;9 31. Notes with appreciation the activities of the Cultural Institute, the Science Foundation and the Educational Institute of the Economic Cooperation Organization as specialized arms of the Organization to foster regional cooperation among its member States in the fields of culture, science and education, respectively, and encourages the relevant specialized agencies of the United Nations system, especially the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, to cooperate with these bodies, within the scope of their mandate and existing resources, in order to develop and implement appropriate projects for the promotion of science and education in the region; _______________ 9 A/66/601-S/2011/767, annex. 6/7