Islamabad, 13 January 2022 (TDI): Yesterday, the Coordinator-General of the Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) called on the Secretary-General. The COMSTECH, part of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), is leading the preparation for its 31st Executive Committee Meeting.
For this reason, Coordinator-General, Iqbal Choudhary called on the OIC Secretary-General to discuss the remaining issues to kick off the gathering effectively. Therefore, he briefed Hissein Barahim about the major programs and activities prepared to address at the meeting. Especially regarding the COMSTECH mandate in African OIC members.
COMSTECH initiatives discussed during the Coordinator-General Briefing
This includes COMSTECH and the International Foundation for Science (IFS) research grants to young African scholars. Besides that, the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence Program orients its work to increase investment through technology-based projects.
In addition to that, Iqbal Choudhary talked about the Committee Scholarships and Research Fellowships for Women Scientists in the least developed countries in Africa. Although this program is similar to the COMSTECH-Research Fellowships for Least Developed Countries in OIC, the first one is exclusively focused on women.
Likewise, the Coordinator-General addressed the importance of UNESCO, the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), and COMSTECH. The three of them seek to support displaced and refugee scholars and scientists. Furthermore, Coordinator Choudhary pointed out the neurocritical and dermatology camps along with workshops in Niger, Gambia, among others.
OIC Secretary-General Remarks
In this regard, the Secretary-General of the OIC conveyed his deepest appreciation to the Government of Pakistan for hosting the 31st Executive Committee Meeting. He also expressed his complete commitment to the committee and its key mandate within the OIC.
Moreover, he assured his patronage to the other key OIC institutions. Mainly to support worldwide projects under the OIC members’ leadership. That is why Secretary Hissein Barahim appreciated the COMSTECH role and its Coordination dynamism within the OIC. He also stressed Iqbal Choudhary’s full advocacy of the OIC General Secretariat.
Finally, it is important to mention that the 31st Executive Meeting will take place in Islamabad on January 27. Besides, Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan and Chairman of the COMSTECH will chair the meeting.
