The Science and Technology Sector at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held two meetings: the first with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), and the second with officials of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, to discuss means to strengthen cooperation in the fields of science and technology.

During his meeting with Dr. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of COMSTECH, Dr. Rahil Qamar, Head of ICESCO Science and Technology Sector, emphasized the Organization’s keenness to forge solid partnerships with various institutions, commissions, and research centers in the Islamic world, to build young people’s capacities in science and technology, as a contribution towards achieving inclusive and sustainable development.

For his part, Dr. Choudhary commended ICESCO’s efforts in providing digital platforms facilitating access to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and organizing activities, programmes, workshops, and training sessions for the benefit of the Islamic world’s youth and women.

During the second meeting with officials of the Pakistani Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr. Qamar commended the Pakistani government’s initiatives in the fields of science and technology geared towards promoting development and alleviating poverty. Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor at the Sector, reviewed ICESCO’s programs and activities aimed at upgrading science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, and developing satellite communication. He also highlighted programs aimed to promote the use of space science applications and artificial intelligence in the Islamic world to accelerate development and provide a platform for knowledge sharing.

For their part, officials of the Pakistani Ministry of Science and Technology hailed ICESCO’s efforts and expressed their ambition to cooperate with the Organization and its Member States in the fields of education, modern agriculture, space science, and communications to achieve common sustainable development goals.