AKIPRESS.COM - The Organization of Islamic Cooperation General Secretariat convened a meeting of OIC institutions at the OIC Headquarters on 14 March 2017 to review substantive preparations for the First OIC Summit on Science and Technology due to be held in Astana, Kazakhstan on 10-11 September 2017.

The Meeting was attended by the OIC relevant institutions including the Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH); Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC);Statistical, Economic, Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRIC); Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF); Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA);Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group; Islamic Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organisations (ISESCO); and Islamic World Academy of Sciences (IAS), IRCICA and COMCEC. The Meeting was also attended by the Representatives of the host country; Kazakhstan.

In his opening remarks, the OIC Assistant Secretary General for Science and Technology Amb. Muhammad Naeem Khan underscored the need for OIC institutions to develop synergies and enhance partnerships so as to achieve the goals and targets which are outlined in the outcome document of the Summit.

The meeting examined, in detail, the proposed outcome document for the Summit compiled by COMSTECH with inputs of more than 120 scientists in various disciplines from several Member States and made valuable comments thereon whichwould be incorporated and submitted to the Member States for their consideration.

At the end of the Meeting, participating institutions paid tribute to the Secretary General and the General Secretariat for the high importance accorded to the issue of science, technology and innovation as a key driver to social and economic development of countries. The institutions pledged to fully participate in the organization of the Summit and to ensure effective implementation of its recommendations.

The first OIC summit on Science and Technology will be held in pursuance of the resolution of the Twelfth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference, held in Cairo on 6-7 February, 2013, which mandated COMSTECH to organize the First Summit of OIC member countries devoted exclusively to Science and Technology.