The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Ibrahim Taha has emphasized the importance of collaboration among OIC member states in science and technology to overcome the key challenges faced by the Muslim Ummah.

He was addressing a ceremony during his visit to the Secretariat of the OIC's Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) in Islamabad today.

The OIC Secretary General alongside the Federal Minister for Science and Technology and the Coordinator General of COMSTECH also launched COMSTECH Expert Service for Technological Cooperation.

The initiative is designed to enhance technological self-reliance, foster sustainable development, and mitigate brain drain within OIC member states.

It is also aimed at mobilizing expertise from across the Muslim world to address pressing challenges in healthcare, agriculture, energy, and education, embodying the spirit of collaboration and mutual progress among OIC countries.

The Secretary General OIC commended the COMSTECH Fellowships and Scholarships Program for Palestinian nationals, praising its profound impact on empowering Palestinian youth through education and skill development.

He highlighted the upcoming 16th COMSTECH General Assembly, scheduled to be held in Islamabad this year saying that it is a vital platform for discussing the future of science and technology in the OIC region.

He also underscored the importance of the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of the OIC-15 Dialogue Platform, scheduled for this year, and the Emergency Conference on Education in Palestine, declaring it critical efforts to foster scientific and educational progress.

Expressing gratitude to the government and people of Pakistan for their warm hospitality, the OIC Secretary General lauded COMSTECH's exceptional contributions to science, technology, and innovation.

Addressing the ceremony, Minister for Science, Technology, and Education, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, welcomed the Secretary General OIC and reaffirmed the importance of science and technology as fundamental pillars for sustainable development within the OIC.

He termed the launch of the COMSTECH Expert Service as a pivotal step in uniting expertise across the Muslim world to address shared challenges and build resilience.

In his address, Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH, Professor Dr. Iqbal Choudhary, highlighted the organization's efforts in fostering collaboration, building capacities, and promoting scientific excellence among OIC member states.