Promotion of science, technology can help end poverty: Mamnoon

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Tuesday said that by promoting science and technology in the Muslim societies poverty could be eliminated, health facilities improved and adequate provision of water, food and energy ensured.

Addressing the 15th inaugural session of General Assembly of Comstech in Islamabad, the president said that they could raise the people’s living standard and eliminate poverty with the promotion of science and technology. He said that the purpose of holding Comstech General Assembly session was to promote science and technology in the Islamic World. He said that Muslim countries should achieve the objectives envisaged in the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations through development of science and technology. He said that they would be able to succeed in strengthening academic foundations in the societies by emulating Islamic great traditions and promoting science and technology.

He underlined that the Muslims made extraordinary contributions in the progress of science but lamented that despite being endowed with natural resources, we are now far behind the contemporary world. He noted that the combined budget of Muslim countries for science and technology is merely 2.4 percent in comparison to the developed world and the Muslim world contributes only 6 percent of the scientific articles published globally. He further noted that Muslim world had to rely on the developed countries to meet its technological needs adding that the Muslim countries should promptly raise its research and development budget as only a skilled human resource can lead to progress of a society.

“We must make every effort to provide our people the institutional support that they need to explore the limits of their minds and produce highly qualified scientists who are the most valuable asset of any society”, he emphasised. He noted with appreciation that COMSTECH has been actively pursuing a number of programmes aimed at building the competence of member states in science and technology adding that its 10-year plan for progress of science and technology in Muslim states is very important which could pave the way for progress and prosperity.

During the 15th inaugural session of General Assembly of COMSTECH prayers were said for early recovery of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.It may be mentioned that all member countries of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are participating in COMSTECH General Assembly. On the occasion, President distributed certificates amongst the eminent scientists of the Muslim world.

Federal Minister for Science & Technology Rana Tanveer Hussain, Secretary General Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Iyad Ameen Madani, President Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Ali and Coordinator General COMSTECH Dr. Shaukat Hameed Khan also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, A collective prayer was held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, for the speedy recovery of the prime minister in which president and officials of the Aiwan-e-Sadr participated.On the occasion, the president and officials of the President’s Secretariat prayed for successful operation of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and his early recuperation. Prayers were also offered for the good health and long life of the Premier. President also prayed that Allah may protect Pakistan and its people from all evils and bless the nation with peace, security and prosperity.

Later, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Standing Committee on Science and Technology gave approval for a 10-Year Action Plan for scientific development in the Muslim world.

President chaired First Plenary Session of 15th COMSTECH General Assembly Meeting in which this Plan was approved. On the occasion, Secretary General OIC Iyad Ameen Madani, President Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Ali and Coordinator General COMSTECH Dr. Shaukat Hameed Khan were also present.

The purpose of the 10 Year Action Plan is to promote science and technology in the Muslim world. Along with suggestions from developed countries, 159 leading scientists and thinkers of 20 OIC member countries were involved in the preparation of an action plan.

President said that less developed countries of the Muslim world would be given assistance in research and development through the 10-Year Action Plan. On the occasion, Pakistan, Morocco and Azerbaijan were elected as the Vice Chairmen of COMSTECH General Assembly. President also stressed that more funds need to be allocated for less developed Islamic countries.

22 ministers from various Muslim countries and heads and senior officials of science & research institutions also participated.