First Meeting of Networking of Water Centers of Excellence in OIC Member States
Dates: February 24–25, 2025
Venue: COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Organized by:
- OIC – COMSTECH
- OIC – General Secretariat
Technical partners:
- The Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC)
- Inter-Islamic Network on Water Resources Development and Management (INWRDAM)
- Hisaar Foundation (HF)
- Panjwani-Hisaar Water Institute (PHWI)
Salient Points
Introduction
Water is crucial for life and development, and better management of water resources is a major challenge confronting the countries that comprise the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Though many OIC Member States have made progress in water and sanitation, they still face challenges in meeting their Sustainable Development Goal (SGD) 6 commitment (“Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”) by 2030 due to diverse landscapes, conflicts, widespread poverty, hunger, transboundary issues, and climate impacts exacerbating challenges with each passing year.
The OIC Water Vision Implementation Plan provides a framework for addressing these issues through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and joint initiatives. The first objective was achieved before the 4th Islamic Conference of Ministers Responsible for Water held in October 2018. The second objective will be taken forward in the First Meeting of Networking of Water Centers of Excellence in OIC Member States” to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan from 24 and 25th February 2025,
Goals and Objectives of The Meeting
Main Goal:
- Establish a collaborative platform for water institutions across OIC Member States, fostering knowledge exchange and coordinated action.
Key Objectives:
- Facilitate Knowledge Sharing: Exchange information on policies, technologies, and strategies.
- Map Institutional Architecture: Build networks of water-related institutions across OIC countries.
- Promote Research and Development: Support water use, conservation, and sustainable practices innovations.
- Enhance Capacity Building: Provide training, workshops, and technical expertise.
- Support Policy Coordination: Foster alignment and collaboration on water-related policies.
- Develop Action Plans: Encourage regional and national strategies with government and multilateral support.
Meeting Composition
- Participants: Water research institutions, training centers, scientific organizations, and experts from OIC Member States.
Logistics:
- COMSTECH will provide local hospitality (boarding, lodging, airport pickup and drop off) to the selected participants.
Request for Participation
- Interested water centers of Excellence/ Research Institutions of OIC member states are requested to write to undersign with an official letter requesting for participation in this closed group meeting. Applications of interest will be entertained till 25th January, 2025
H.E. Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary
Mustafa (PBUH) Prize Laureate, H.I., S.I., T.I.,
Coordinator General COMSTECH
with copy to comstech@comstech.org ; khazima@comstech.org
