Workshop on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between CENAREST and COMSTECH

OIC-COMSTECH in Central Africa

Date: June 23-27, 2025
Venue: Hibiscus Hotel, Libreville, Gabon

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1. Context

OIC-COMSTECH, the Standing Ministerial Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), based in Islamabad, Pakistan, was created during the third Islamic Summit held in Mecca in January 1981. Its main mandate is to strengthen cooperation among OIC member states in the fields of Science, Technology, and Innovation (ST&I), to develop their capacities through training in emerging fields, to implement the resolutions of the OIC, and to propose programs aimed at increasing the scientific and technological competencies of member countries. The ultimate goal is to promote a scientific culture and to use ST&I as a driver of socio-economic development and industrialization.

Gabon, a country rich in natural resources and biodiversity, seeks to strengthen its scientific and technological development in order to address sustainable development challenges, particularly in the sectors of forestry, biodiversity conservation, agriculture, industry, renewable energy, and health. International scientific cooperation is a strategic lever for the country, enabling it to strengthen its capacities in research, innovation, technology, and natural resource management. However, despite the progress made, several challenges remain, such as the lack of funding for research projects, the low integration of Gabonese researchers into international scientific networks, and the insufficiency of sustainable partnerships between local and international institutions.

In this context, a workshop co-organized by CENAREST (National Center for Scientific and Technological Research of Gabon) in collaboration with COMSTECH aims to strengthen Scientific Cooperation between Gabon and others  OIC member states. This workshop will aim to raise awareness among Gabonese researchers about the opportunities offered by COMSTECH, to identify priority research areas, to promote the creation of sustainable partnerships, and to sign a collaboration agreement to launch the joint scientific project.

2. General Objective

The general objective of this workshop is to promote scientific cooperation between Gabon and others OIC countries by facilitating access to opportunities offered by COMSTECH and supporting sustainable partnerships in priority research areas.

3. Specific Objectives

  1. To inform and raise awareness among Gabonese researchers about funding possibilities and opportunities for scientific collaboration offered by COMSTECH.
  2. To identify and prioritize research areas that require technical and financial support from COMSTECH, and that have significant potential for scientific and technological development in Gabon.
  3. To encourage and facilitate the creation of sustainable partnerships between Gabonese institutions and other research centers in OIC member countries, in the identified priority areas of scientific and technological research.
  4. To select and prepare a first cohort of Gabonese researchers to participate in short-term scientific mobility programs, as part of targeted research projects, within the COMSTECH network.
  5. To sign a collaboration agreement between CENAREST and COMSTECH as a basis for launching collaborative scientific projects in Gabon.

4. Expected  Results

  1. Information and awareness of Gabonese researchers on funding, mobility, and scientific collaboration opportunities offered by COMSTECH.
  2. Identification and prioritization of research areas requiring technical and financial support and presenting strong potential for Gabon’s scientific and technological development.
  3. Establishment of sustainable partnerships between Gabonese research institutions and centers of excellence in OIC member countries, around priority scientific themes.
  4. Selection and preparation of a first cohort of Gabonese researchers to participate in short-term scientific mobility programs, as part of targeted research projects, within the COMSTECH network.
  5. Signing of a framework cooperation MoU between CENAREST and COMSTECH, formalizing the launch of collaborative projects and establishing the basis for enhanced scientific collaboration.

5. Target Audience

This workshop is aimed at:

  • Gabonese researchers and scientists from universities and research institutes
  • Leaders of research institutions, including CENAREST
  • Representatives from Gabonese administrations involved in scientific, technological, and development research
  • Civil society organizations and national and international NGOs engaged in development

Technical and financial partners

  • Companies and partner organizations in the scientific and technological innovation sector

6. Methodology, Duration and Venue of the Workshop

The workshop will be structured into several interactive sessions and presentations, including lectures, roundtables, practical workshops, and case studies. The main methods to be used are:

  • Plenary sessions for presentations and discussions on funding and scientific collaboration opportunities
  • Practical workshops to identify priority research areas and develop collaborative project proposals
  • Roundtables for exchanging on partnerships and research project management
  • Initiating the selection of a first cohort of Gabonese researchers for short-term scientific mobility within the COMSTECH network
  • Signing of MoU between CENAREST and COMSTECH for the launch of collaborative projects

7. Monitoring and Evaluation

A detailed report will be drafted at the end of the workshop, with an evaluation of the discussions and decisions made. An action plan will be established to monitor the implementation of scientific partnerships and collaborative research projects initiated during the workshop.

Contacts :

Mr. Renaud Blanchard MAKAKA, COMSTECH
Email : renaudmakaka@comstech.org

Professor Christian MIKOLO YOBO , CENAREST
Email: christian-mikolo@cenarest-gabon.org

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