Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Wednesday emphasised the need for undertaking an effective 'science diplomacy' to deal with trans-boundary challenges such as climate, energy, water, poverty, health, and education. The foreign minister was speaking at a high-level inter-agency meeting while inaugurating the 'science diplomacy' of the Foreign Office with the aim to promote contacts with the centres of excellence of science and technology abroad.
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 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said a Foreign Office statement after the meeting.
This initiative was launched in September last with the designation of a focal point - Science Diplomacy Division - to act as a liaison between national science and technology stakeholders and international partners.
Welcoming the participants of the meeting, Foreign Minister Qureshi 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, health, and education.
He said that after the initiative of economic diplomacy, the government is now launching 'science diplomacy,' focusing on the social sector. He said that it is unfortunate that health and education sectors have been neglected in the past.
He said there are renowned scientists and noted educationists in the country who can contribute effectively to the initiative for the socio-economic development of the country.
Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, 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, she added.
The important role of relevant ministries, government departments, educational institutions and private sector entities in international collaborations in science and technology was underscored during the meeting.
"The Foreign Office hoped to act as a catalyst for all such endeavours in line with the national development priorities and S&T policies and strategies," the statement stated, adding that '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.
Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Tariq Banuri, Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Dr Yusuf Zafar, Director HEJ Institute, University of Karachi, Professor Dr Iqbal Chaudhry, Executive Director National Institute of Health, Islamabad, Brig Dr Aamer Ikram (retd), Chair of Institutional Bio-safety Committee, Agha Khan University Dr Erum Khan, and Executive Director National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTTC) Dr Nasir Khan presented proposals in their areas of expertise, outlining possible avenues for international cooperation and the role of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this regard.
With the help of inputs and feedback of both the public and private sector stakeholders, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will formulate a plan of action to facilitate international STI [science, technology and innovation] collaborations and act as a catalyst to support different projects and programmes related to the national development agenda.
The meeting was attended by senior representatives from both the public and private sector dealing with health, education, science and technology, energy, climate change, food security, industries, and SDGs.
The meeting also deliberated upon the successes achieved in the field of science including the number of scholarships given to Pakistanis in the field of science as well as the contributions made by Pakistani experts in timely diagnosis of dangerous diseases such as cancer.
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