A three day international conference on artificial intelligence (AI), ecosystems and climate action began at the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) in Karachi on Tuesday. The conference is titled Smart Solutions for a Green Future: AI in Ecosystems and Climate Action 2026, and it is jointly organized by the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST), ICCBS, Pakistan Academy of Sciences, Alliance of National and International Science Organizations, China-Pakistan Joint Research Centre on Earth Sciences and other national and international scientific organisations, according to a press release. Researchers and faculty members from different universities are showcasing their research, and a number of students from FUUAST, ICCBS, University of Karachi and other institutions are presenting their work.
Addressing the inaugural session, FUUAST Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zabta Khan Shinwari welcomed the national and international delegates and highlighted the role of AI in environmental protection, climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. He appreciated the participation of women researchers, and he urged students and faculty members to prepare themselves for the demands of the AI era. He said that the faculty of the university is focusing its research on biological and environmental sciences, which are the areas that are closest to the theme of the conference.
Former federal minister for science and technology Prof Dr Atta-ur-Rahman called for greater investment in research and development in Pakistan. He said that the country spends less than 0.2 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on research and development, and he added that the investment should be increased tenfold. He said that AI is bringing major changes to human work, education, communication and decision making, which makes investment in research more important than ever. Prof Dr Tianhua Hong, Executive Director General of the China-Pakistan Joint Research Centre on Earth Sciences, stressed the need for stronger scientific cooperation between Pakistan and China, and he said that the centre supports joint research on natural disasters, environmental protection, resource development and sustainable development.
Director ICCBS Prof Dr Muhammad Raza Shah said that the conference aims to bring together AI, environmental science and modern technologies to find practical solutions to climate change and to the challenges that face ecosystems and natural resources. Prof Dr Muhammad Qasim Jan, former head of Pakistan Academy of Sciences and former provincial minister, said that science is essential for social and economic progress, and he stressed the need for joint efforts to address global challenges, including climate change and environmental issues. The conference will continue for three days, with researchers presenting their work on how AI can support ecosystems and climate action.
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