Islamabad: Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, serving as the Chief Guest at the 25th Conference of The Islamic World Academy of Sciences (IAS) in Islamabad, highlighted the critical role of scientific innovation in addressing pressing challenges related to water, energy, food, and ecosystems across OIC countries.
According to Senate of Pakistan, the conference, titled “Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus for the Security of OIC Countries,” was hosted at the Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS). It was organized in collaboration with the Islamic World Academy of Sciences and featured prominent scientists and researchers discussing the socio-economic and environmental challenges faced by OIC nations. Chairman Gilani praised the IAS and PAS for their pivotal role in fostering scientific excellence to tackle these issues.
The Chairman emphasized that national security should encompass more than traditional military threats, highlighting the unique challenges posed by rapid population growth and environmental degradation in OIC countries. He noted Pakistan’s initiatives like the national tree plantation campaign and comprehensive climate change policies, which were significant during his tenure as Prime Minister.
Gilani called on the Parliamentary Union of OIC Member Countries (PUIC) to actively support sustainable development through legislative actions and science diplomacy. He advocated for prioritizing good governance, incentivizing sustainable practices, and boosting financial support for research in clean energy and climate resilience.
The conference also saw contributions from Senator Sherry Rehman, who delivered a message from President H.E Asif Ali Zardari, and speeches from Prof. Kausar Abdulla Malik, President of the Pakistan Sciences Academy, and Prof. Adnan Badran, President of the Islamic World Academy of Sciences. They echoed the necessity for a collective approach to confront the challenges posed by climate change.