On Monday, 6 March 2023, Ambassador Azhar attended a one-day introductory course on “Science Diplomacy and Sustainability”, organised by COMSTECH, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Ministerial Standing Committee.
The course focused on the role of science diplomacy in addressing climate change and the preservation of biodiversity and the earth’s resources, especially in the Global South that includes OIC member countries. Prof. Zakri Abdul Hamid, former Science Advisor to the Prime Minister of Malaysia, delivered two lectures and stressed the need for enhanced science in multilateral negotiations to tackle climate change and the loss of biodiversity.
Mohammad Kamran Akhtar, Additional Secretary from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke about the essentials of science diplomacy in different areas of international negotiations and emphasized Pakistan’s contribution to multinational scientific initiatives. Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, the Coordinator General of COMSTECH, explained COMSTECH’s role in science diplomacy and highlighted its ongoing initiatives on health, medicine, and food security in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as its research grants to scientists in member states. The event was attended by the Diplomatic Corps in Islamabad, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, academics, and professionals from the field of sustainable development.
