Islamabad (TDI): The OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), in partnership with Azerbaijan’s Institute of Botany, Ministry of Science and Education, organized the COMSTECH–Azerbaijan International Workshop on Nature-Based Medicinal and Cosmetic Products at the COMSTECH Secretariat.
The workshop brought together scientists, researchers, and young scholars from Pakistan and Azerbaijan to share knowledge, explore research collaborations, and build expertise in medicinal plants, phytochemistry, and natural product sciences.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General COMSTECH, said traditional knowledge combined with modern science is creating new opportunities in drug discovery, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics. He noted that the initiative would deepen research ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan within the OIC framework.
Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Khazar Nadir Farhadov, in his address, praised COMSTECH’s role in fostering collaboration and underlined Azerbaijan’s long-standing heritage in natural medicine. He reaffirmed his country’s interest in strengthening cooperation with Pakistan and COMSTECH in this field.
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Prof. Dr. Sayyara Ibadullayeva, Director General of the Institute of Botany, Azerbaijan, also addressed the inaugural session and later delivered a lecture on the challenges of studying useful plants in Azerbaijan’s flora.
Technical sessions featured leading experts from both countries. Presentations covered diverse areas, including supramolecular drug delivery systems, therapeutic potential of natural products, fungi research, phytochemical studies of Azerbaijani flora, and evidence-based approaches to traditional medicine.
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Speakers included Prof. Dr. M. Raza Shah and Prof. Dr. Attia-ul-Wahab from ICCBS, University of Karachi; Prof. Dr. Jamshed Iqbal from COMSATS University Islamabad; Prof. Dr. Ahsana Dar from Hamdard University; as well as Azerbaijani experts Prof. Dr. Dilzara Aghayeva, Prof. Dr. Nigar Mursal, Dr. Emil Shukurlu, Dr. Hilar Mammadov, Dr. Ulkar Mammadova, and Ms. Leyla Akhmedova.
The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, closing remarks by Prof. Dr. Ibadullayeva, and distribution of certificates.
Participants commended COMSTECH and Azerbaijan’s Institute of Botany for facilitating scientific exchange and reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to advancing research in natural product sciences, the bioeconomy, and OIC-wide scientific cooperation.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
