Afghan Public Libraries Join ECO Committees to Advance Digitization and Research

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Information and Culture has announced that the country’s public libraries will join Economic Cooperation Organization committees focused on digitization, archiving, and research. The initiative aims to strengthen coordination and resource sharing among member states while supporting domestic cultural preservation efforts.

The announcement was made ahead of World Book and Copyright Day, with ministry officials highlighting recent progress in the national library sector. According to ministry spokesman Khubaib Ghufran, 106 public libraries are currently operational across the country. In addition to these state-run facilities, dozens of private libraries continue to operate under the supervision of the ministry.

Ghufran noted that preservation and accessibility remain central priorities for the sector. Officials reported that more than 180 rare and historically significant books have been digitized to prevent deterioration and expand public access to archival materials. The digitization process is part of a broader effort to modernize library infrastructure and align with regional standards.

The ministry also provided an update on publishing oversight. The Books Evaluation Commission, which operates under the Ministry of Information and Culture, reviewed and approved 370 book titles for publication over the past year. Officials stated that the evaluation process ensures compliance with national standards while supporting local authors and academic research.

Membership in the ECO committees is expected to facilitate technical exchanges, training programs, and collaborative projects with partner nations. Ministry representatives indicated that the integration into regional networks will provide Afghan libraries with access to updated archival methodologies and digital infrastructure support.