Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hissein Ibrahim Taha, recently underscored the vital need for enhanced collaboration among OIC member states in the fields of science and technology. Addressing a ceremony during his visit to the Secretariat of the OIC’s Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) in Islamabad, Taha stressed that overcoming the critical challenges faced by the Muslim Ummah requires concerted efforts and collective action in scientific and technological advancements.
Accompanying the Secretary General at the event were the Federal Minister for Science and Technology and the Coordinator General of COMSTECH. Together, they launched the COMSTECH Expert Service for Technological Cooperation, an initiative aimed at bolstering technological self-reliance among OIC nations. This groundbreaking service is designed to foster sustainable development, address the challenges of brain drain, and mobilize expertise from across the Muslim world to tackle pressing issues in critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, energy, and education.
The new initiative reflects the OIC’s commitment to promoting collaboration and mutual progress within its member states. The Expert Service for Technological Cooperation will provide a platform to pool knowledge, skills, and resources to tackle challenges that are common to the region. By encouraging shared responsibility and support, the initiative aims to create a more resilient and self-sustaining scientific and technological ecosystem among OIC countries.
Secretary General Hissein Ibrahim Taha also expressed strong approval for the COMSTECH Fellowships and Scholarships Program for Palestinian nationals, a key initiative that empowers Palestinian youth by providing them with valuable educational opportunities. Taha praised the program for its significant impact on developing skills and empowering the next generation of Palestinian leaders in science and technology.
Looking forward, Taha highlighted the upcoming 16th COMSTECH General Assembly, set to be held in Islamabad later this year. He noted that the assembly will serve as a crucial platform for discussions on the future trajectory of science and technology in the OIC region. He also emphasized the significance of the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of the OIC-15 Dialogue Platform and the Emergency Conference on Education in Palestine, events that are expected to address critical issues in scientific progress, education, and innovation in the OIC member states.
In his address, Minister for Science, Technology, and Education, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, welcomed the OIC Secretary General and reaffirmed the importance of science and technology as foundational pillars for the sustainable development of the OIC region. He described the launch of the COMSTECH Expert Service as a landmark initiative that unites expertise across the Muslim world to address shared challenges and build resilience in the face of adversity. Coordinator General of COMSTECH, Professor Dr. Iqbal Choudhary, also highlighted the organization’s ongoing efforts to promote scientific collaboration, build capacities, and encourage scientific excellence among OIC member states. He underscored that the launch of the Expert Service will further strengthen these efforts and contribute to the advancement of science and technology throughout the OIC region.
