“More global cooperation in science and technology is needed”

Islamabad: Overcoming new challenges will require, among other things, increased global cooperation in science and technology.

In this context, South-South and triangular cooperation in education, research, innovation, capacity-building, policy-making and infrastructure development are more important than ever.

This was confirmed by the Executive Director of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), Dr. Akhtar Nazir, during a webinar to celebrate the United Nations Day for Southern Cooperation in the South.

The webinar entitled “South-South Cooperation: Making Breakthroughs for Comprehensive Post-Pandemic Recovery” was attended by representatives from international and development organizations.

Speakers discuss strategies for dealing with post-pandemic challenges

They shared their institutional experiences, lessons learned and suggested practices in implementing science and technology programs through SSC.

Participants discussed challenges and strategic approaches in promoting South-South cooperation as well as recommended ways to integrate cooperation mechanisms to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a post-global era.

About 80 people from Bangladesh, Benin, Canada, China, Colombia, Egypt, France, Gambia, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Palestine, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, the United States, Venezuela, Yemen and Zimbabwe participated in the event.

Among the prominent speakers are Dr. Adel Abdellatif, Director, United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), New York; Doctor. Carlos M. Correa, Executive Director, South Centre, Geneva; Prof. Ai Lecon, Deputy Executive Director, Alliance of International Scientific Organizations (ANSO), Beijing; Doctor. Peter McGrath of the Inter-Academic Partnership (IAP), Trieste; Professor Mahton N. Honkono, President, Network of African Academies of Sciences, Nairobi; Doctor. Sherif, Science and Technology Adviser, Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Rabat and Adnan Aliani, Director of Strategy and Program Management, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Bangkok.

They spoke about the challenges and achievements of associated institutions and countries since the outbreak of COVID-19, policy directions for recovery, dynamics of South-South cooperation and synergies required, and the importance of STEM education in developing countries for an overall recovery. The role of science academies in promoting South-South cooperation and developing and implementing effective science and technology programs for a post-Covid world.

Posted in Dawn, October 4, 2021