OIC Institutions Pledge To Work Closely For The Implementation Of OIC STI Agenda 2026

The first meeting of the Steering Committee for the implementation of OIC Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Agenda 2026 was held at the Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) Headquarters, Islamabad, on 18-19 March 2019

Islamabad (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th March, 2019) The first meeting of the Steering Committee for the implementation of OIC Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Agenda 2026 was held at the Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) Headquarters, Islamabad, on 18-19 March 2019.

Representatives of OIC institutions, namely,the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), the Statistical, Economic, Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC),the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries(SMIIC), the Islamic Conference Youth Forum (ICYF), the OIC Computer Emergency Response Team (OIC-CERT),the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and the Islamic World Academy of Sciences (IAS) attended the meeting.

Assistant Secretary General for Science and Technology, Ambassador Muhammad Naeem Khan, led the OIC delegation in the meeting. Ambassador Khan highlighted the salient features of the OIC STI Agenda 2026 adopted by the First OIC Summit on Science and Technology held in Astana in September 2017 that sets universal targets in wide-ranging areas such as education, skill development, strengthening health sectors, and managing energy, food and water security in the Member States.

He lauded the efforts of COMSTECH in preparing a detailed work plan for achieving the targets of OIC STI Agenda 2026 as well as the goals set by UN SDG 2030.

He reiterated the commitment of OIC General Secretariat to work closely with the OIC institutions, Member States and other international partners to achieve the targets set by the OIC leaders.

He called upon the OIC institutionsto forge partnership with each other to avoid overlap and duplication in their work plans. The meeting adopted Terms of references of the Steering Committee and discussed various activities to be carried out during the coming years.

It was decided that the OIC institutions will liaise with the OIC Member States to raise public awareness and conduct capacity building activities. The meeting also discussed various aspects regarding the holding of the 2nd OIC Summit on Science and Technology in Uzbekistan in 2020.

During the First OIC Summit on Science and Technology held in Astana, Kazakhstan in September 2017, the OIC leaders had adopted a comprehensive Ten Year Plan ‘OIC STI Agenda 2026’ outlining priorities and targets in various fields ranging from promotion of higher education, addressing water, food and energy security and launching ‘Big Science Projects’ in the Muslim countries.

The Steering Committee has been established to provide guidance for the implementation of the OIC STI Agenda 2026.