OIC Signs MOU Of Cooperation With COMSATS

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish mutual cooperation for achieving sustainable socioeconomic development through the promotion of science, technology and innovation

Islamabad (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th March, 2019) The Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish mutual cooperation for achieving sustainable socioeconomic development through the promotion of science, technology and innovation.

The MoU, signed by Ambassador Muhammad Naeem Khan, OIC Assistant Secretary General for Science&Technology and by Dr. S.M. Junaid Zaidi,Executive Director, COMSATS on 20 March 2019 at the COMSATS Secretariat in Islamabad, provides a framework to encourage the development of programmes and projects in all sectors by utilizing human and material resources of both organizations.

The MOU also seeks exchange of experiences and expertise to ensure speedy implementation of joint programmes in the fields of science, technology and innovation. COMSATS, an inter-governmental organization,with a membership of 26countries, was established in 1994 for the promotion of South-South cooperation in science and technology with the objective of achieving sustainable socio-economic progress in the developing countries.

Both OIC and COMSATS have 17 common Member States namely: Bangladesh, Egypt, The Gambia, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan,Morocco, Nigeria Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and Uganda. The two organizations share common objectives and are desirous of working together to strengthen the capabilities of the common Member States in the fields of science and technology, higher education and environment through the development of joint projects and programmes. The collaboration between the two organizations would promote synergies as well as the optimization of resources while avoiding overlap and duplication. Following the signing ceremony, OIC Assistant Secretary General held a meeting with Executive Director of COMSATS. It was agreed to take concrete steps to effectively implement the MoUand to develop a joint plan of action identifying short, medium and long term priorities.