OIC secretary general launches key initiative for S&T progress

Islamabad: The Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hissein Ibrahim Taha visited the Secretariat of the OIC’s Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (Comstech) here on Friday.

The high-profile event was attended by Assistant Secretary Generals of the OIC, ambassadors of OIC member states, diplomats, vice-chancellors, government officials, scientists, and researchers from various OIC countries. It marked the announcement of transformative initiatives aimed at advancing science and technology across the OIC region.

In his address, Hissein Ibrahim Taha emphasised the importance of collaboration among OIC member states in the critical fields of science and technology to overcome the key challenges faced by the Muslim Ummah. Alongside the Federal Minister for Science and Technology and the Coordinator General of Comstech, Taha launched the Comstech Expert Service for Technological Cooperation.

This strategic initiative is designed to enhance technological self-reliance, foster sustainable development, and mitigate brain drain within OIC member states. The programme aims to mobilise expertise from across the Muslim world to address pressing challenges in healthcare, agriculture, energy, and education, embodying the spirit of collaboration and mutual progress among OIC countries.

The Secretary General OIC also commended the Comstech Fellowships and Scholarships Programme for Palestinian nationals, praising its profound impact on empowering Palestinian youth through education and skill development. This initiative reflects the OIC’s commitment to uplifting disadvantaged communities. Taha further highlighted the upcoming 16th Comstech General Assembly, scheduled to be held in Islamabad during 2025, as a vital platform for discussing the future of science and technology in the OIC region.

He also underscored the importance of the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of the OIC-15 Dialogue Platform, scheduled for this year, and the Emergency Conference on Education in Palestine, as critical efforts to foster scientific and educational progress.