The COMSATS–ITS conference on Emerging Technologies for Sustainable Development was successfully held in Surabaya, Indonesia, organised by the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South and its Centre of Excellence, the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, in collaboration with the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions. The event was held in conjunction with the 26th Meeting of the COMSATS Coordinating Council and aimed to highlight the role of emerging technologies in advancing sustainable development, share best practices, research findings, and policy experiences related to technology-driven sustainability solutions, and identify opportunities for collaboration.
Dr. Mohammad Fauzan Adziman, Director General of Research and Development at Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, served as Chief Guest at the opening ceremony and shared insights into Indonesia’s growing international engagement for scientific research and development. He praised COMSATS’ initiatives including its indigenous electric vehicle technology programme, NanoTech Laboratory, Joint Centre on Industrial Biotechnology, TeleHealth Clinics, and other innovation initiatives, while encouraging Indonesian research and development organisations to actively engage with COMSATS for the sharing of expertise and transfer of technology.
Executive Director COMSATS Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria stated that the developing countries continue to face serious and interconnected challenges, and that the real challenge for the developing world is to harness emerging technologies to effectively respond to local needs and meet the socioeconomic requirements of their populations. He highlighted the need for sustained investment in science, technology, and innovation, strong institutions, forward-looking policies, ethical regulations, and meaningful international cooperation, emphasising that COMSATS remains committed to assisting member states in their efforts toward sustainable development.
The conference covered a broad range of themes including artificial intelligence, big data, and digital transformation; renewable energy; climate change mitigation, adaptation, and environmental technologies; water, food, and agricultural technologies for resource security; biotechnology; health technologies; advanced materials, nanotechnology, and industrial innovation; and science, technology, and innovation policies and technology governance in developing countries. During the technical sessions, subject experts from COMSATS Centres of Excellence in China, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Tanzania, as well as from ANSO and The South Centre, delivered technical presentations on topics related to these themes. The conference reflects COMSATS’ ongoing mission to bridge the science and technology gap between the developed and developing world through multilateral cooperation, shared research infrastructure, and the transfer of knowledge and technology to member states across the Global South.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
