ISLAMABAD, Nov 3: Pakistan has started preparations to hold the 11th meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (Comstech) in Islamabad from December 25-27.

President of Pakistan, in his capacity as Comstech chairman, will speak at the inaugural and concluding sessions of the OIC standing committee to be attended by delegates from 57 Muslim countries.

The OIC secretary-general, Abdelouhed Belkeziz, and Comstech coordinator general Dr Attaur Rehman will speak at the inaugural session.

Cooperation between Muslim countries especially on the forum of OIC is the imperative need of the new global order shaped by technological superiority in science and technology of the developed world, sources in the ministry of science and technology said, adding that OIC has to move beyond being just a “talking shop”.

“Reports will be presented on the role of OIC to bring science and technology into the political agenda of the member states along with activity reports of the Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO), Islamic University of Technology (IUT), Islamic Academy of Sciences (IAS) and various networks set-up by Comstech,” an official said.

According to officials, the reports will be presented and reviewed on Inter-Islamic Networks on Biotechnology (INOGE), renewable energy (INRES), oceanography (INOC), space sciences (ISNET), tropical medicine (INTROM), water resources (INWRDAM), biosaline agriculture (INBA) and information technology (INIT).

Activity report on the role of Islamic Development Bank with reference to promotion of science and technology in OIC member would be presented by president of the bank or his representative, the officials said.

According to the scheduled programme, the Comstech General Assembly would also review the report by the coordinator general on the activities of Comstech since its 10th General Assembly meeting held in February 2002.