Islamabad, The 29th anniversary of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) was celebrated at the President Secretariat (Aiwan-e-Sadr), with Pakistan’s President, Dr. Arif Alvi, presiding over the ceremony. COMSATS, an intergovernmental organization with 27 member states, was established in 1994 in Islamabad under the guidance of Nobel Laureate Prof. Abdus Salam.

According to Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South, President Alvi emphasized the critical role of COMSATS and assured the Government of Pakistan’s active support. He stressed the importance of sharing scientific breakthroughs and knowledge for the benefit of humanity, advocating for open knowledge resources and addressing injustices in knowledge access.

President Alvi also highlighted recent scientific advancements, including genome sequencing, and the potential of quantum computing to revolutionize health and agriculture sectors. He commended COMSATS for its contributions in science and technology among its member states.

Ambassador Zakaria, while paying tribute to Prof. Dr. Abdus Salam, underscored the importance of science, technology, and innovation (ST and I) as foundations of progress and solutions to global challenges. He expressed confidence in the support of member states for new initiatives in various scientific fields.

Prof. Dr. Lin Zhaohui, Director of the International Center for Climate and Environment Sciences (ICCES), China, acknowledged COMSATS’ commitment to promoting South-South and triangular cooperation in science, technology, and innovation. He recognized the organization’s role in addressing climate change and promoting sustainable solutions.

The ceremony, attended by various dignitaries, also marked the induction of the University of Granada (UGR), Spain, as a new member of the COMSATS Network, the first European institution to join.