ISLAMABAD: Delegates from various developing countries are gathering in Islamabad on April 16th, for the 2nd Commission Meeting of COMSATS (the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South).
The Commission is the highest forum of COMSATS, with membership of the Heads of 21 member States/Governments, said a press release issued here.
Forty-four foreign delegates, including 15 Ministers (or equivalent) are attending the meeting.
Apart from the Pakistani Minister for Science and Technology, the participating delegates belong to COMSATS' Member States; China, Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Jamaica, Jordan, Iran, Philippines, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Representatives from the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World and the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization will also attend the meeting as observers.
While setting up the Commission in 1994, the Government of Pakistan had committed to host its Secretariat in Islamabad.
The role of this organization as the facilitator of South- South cooperation in Science and Technology through a network of 17 Centres-of-Excellence in three continents has been lauded by Member Countries and considered as a valuable contribution of Pakistan in promoting international cooperation.
The 2nd Commission Meeting is being held with the objectives, inter alia, of renewing the commitment of the member countries for achieving the objectives of COMSATS; working out policy guidelines for the future functioning of the Commission.
It will also help to sensitize Member States and institutions of COMSATS towards the importance of cooperation in S&T; and mobilizing adequate financial support for the scientific and technical programmes of COMSATS.
The Meeting's highlight agenda-items include election of the new Chairperson of COMSATS for the next three-year term; statements by the Heads of delegations; and amendments in the international agreement of COMSATS.