Pakistani Report
Islamabad: The Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) and the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (OIC-COMSTECH) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration in science, technology and innovation, aiming to accelerate economic development for their Member States.
The MoU was signed at a virtual ceremony by D-8 Secretary-General Ambassador Sohail Mahmood and COMSTECH Coordinator General Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary.
Ambassador Mahmood stressed that science and technology are vital for economic growth, productivity and tackling shared development challenges. He called COMSTECH a valuable partner and said the arrangement would provide a practical framework for knowledge exchange, joint research, training programmes and institutional capacity building. He expressed confidence that it would advance the D-8 Decennial Roadmap 2020-2030.
Priority areas include agriculture and food security, energy and minerals, environmental sustainability, artificial intelligence, digital transformation and emerging technologies. The partnership will also promote youth empowerment, technical exchanges, and stronger links among universities, research institutions and centres of excellence.
Cooperation will draw on existing mechanisms, including the D-8 Network of Pioneers for Research and Innovation (D-8 NPRI) and COMSTECH platforms.
The signing marks a milestone in institutional ties between the two bodies and reaffirms their commitment to using science and technology for sustainable development and shared prosperity.
