Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi inaugurated the first high level Inter Agency meeting on “Science Diplomacy”. This initiative was launched in September last year with the designation of a focal point (Science Diplomacy Division) to act as a liaison between national S&T stakeholders and international partners.
Welcoming the participants of the meeting, Foreign Minister outlined the main contours of the Science Diplomacy initiative which included building constructive international partnerships in science and technology and to deal effectively with trans-boundary challenges such as climate, energy, water, poverty reduction, health and education.
The initiative would focus on establishing international research collaborations, capacity building, improving public health, matching labour skills with international market requirements and to improve Pakistan’s access to smart technologies and international technical assistance, especially in the context of the implementation of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
Foreign Secretary in her remarks highlighted the fact that the idea of using Science as an instrument for Diplomacy was not new. This was being actively pursued by many countries as a vital tool of foreign policy
The important role of relevant ministries, government departments, educational institutions and private sector entities in international collaborations in Science and Technology was underscored. Foreign Office hoped to act as a catalyst for all such endeavors in line with the national development priorities and S&T policies and strategies. Science Diplomacy initiative would also facilitate the work of the National Knowledge Economy Task Force headed by the Prime Minister especially in the context of international collaborations.
Dr. Tariq Banuri, (Chairman), Higher Education Commission, Dr. Yusuf Zafar, (Chairman), Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Prof. Dr. Iqbal Chaudhry, Director HEJ institute, University of Karachi, Brig. Dr. Aamer Ikram, (Executive Director), National Institute of Health, Islamabad, Dr. Erum Khan, (Chair of Institutional Biosafety Committee), Agha Khan University and Dr. Nasir Khan, Executive Director, National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTTC), presented proposals in their areas of expertise outlining possible avenues for international cooperation and the role of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in that regard.
With the help of inputs and feedback of both public and private sector stakeholders, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will formulate a plan of action to facilitate international STI collaborations and act as a catalyst to support different projects and programs related to the national development agenda.
The meeting was attended by senior representatives from both public and private sector dealing with health, education, science and technology, energy, climate change, food security, industries and SDGs.
Islamabad
16 January 2019
