COMSTECH in Brief

COMSTECH the Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) was established by the Third Islamic Summit of OIC held at Makkah, Saudi Arabia in January 1981. The President of Pakistan is Chairman of COMSTECH. The core mandate of COMSTECH is to strengthen cooperation among OIC Member States in science and technology (S&T), and enhance their capabilities through training in emerging areas, undertake follow-up-actions and implementation of the resolutions of the OIC, and to draw up programs and submit proposals designed to increase the capability of the Muslim countries in science and technology (S&T). The ultimate aim is to build and nourish a scientific culture in addition to using S&T as a major contributor to socio-economic development and rapid industrialization.

The objectives of COMSTECH include

1. Assessment of human and material resources of Member States and identification of scientific and technological needs and requirements of the Ummah,
2. Building indigenous capabilities of Member States in the fields of science and technology through cooperation and mutual assistance,
3. Enhancement of cooperation and coordination in scientific and technological fields amongst the OIC member states with a view to achieving collective competence in science and technology for solution of the problems of the OIC member states,
4. Creation of an effective institutional structure for planning, research, development   and monitoring of scientific and technological activities at national, regional, and international levels.

COMSTECH works in close collaboration with various Standing Committees and other organs of the OIC, Member States of the OIC and their major Scientific and Technological Institutions, in addition to some international organizations. The latter include The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Islamic World Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ICESCO), Islamic World Academy of Sciences (IAS), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Global Environment Facility (GEF), United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), International Foundation for Science, (IFS), World Health Organization – Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (WHO–EMRO). In addition protocols are being prepared for collaboration with the Lindau Council and IIASA in the EU.