COMSATS convened a high-level panel at the UN STI Forum, focusing on innovation for sustainable development.
The Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) recently orchestrated a high-level panel discussion featuring scientific experts as a pivotal segment of the 9th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology, and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals. Sponsored by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), this event convened under the theme “Catalyzing Change: Science, Technology, and Innovation in the Global South”.
Moderated by COMSATS Executive Director, Ambassador Dr. M. Nafees Zakaria, the panelists brought forth a diverse range of expertise from COMSATS Centres of Excellence spanning China, Sri Lanka, and Colombia. Prof. Lin Zhaohui, Prof. Eduardo Posada, Prof. Chaoguang Tian, and Prof. I.G.N. Hewajulige, along with representatives from UNIDO-Austria, formed the distinguished panel.
Aligned with the overarching theme of the 9th Forum, the experts deliberated on the imperative nexus of “Science, Technology, and Innovation for reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and Eradicating Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises: The Effective Delivery of Sustainable, Resilient, and Innovative Solutions”.
Central to the discussion were themes revolving around the pivotal role of skilled human capital, the essence of South-South cooperation, and the transformative potential of emerging technologies in fostering sustainable development endeavors.
Each panelist presented their respective organization’s endeavors towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the criticality of leveraging technological advancements and disruptive innovations to address contemporary challenges effectively.
Ambassador Zakaria reiterated the indispensability of high-tech solutions in bridging the gap between developing and developed nations, underscoring COMSATS’ steadfast commitment to advocating for Science and Technology (S&T) as indispensable tools for sustainable development.
Established in 1994 by the esteemed Pakistani Physicist and Nobel laureate, COMSATS stands as an intergovernmental organization comprising 27 countries from the Global South. It remains dedicated to championing S&T for sustainable development, echoing its founder’s vision and ethos.