Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS)

Participation in OIC International Symposium on ‘Financing For Development: Thinking Innovative Solutions to Persistent Development Challenges’

Participation in OIC International Symposium on ‘Financing For Development: Thinking Innovative Solutions to Persistent Development Challenges’

Dr. Kamran Jahangir, Advisor at COMSATS Secretariat visited Turkey to attend the International Symposium on ‘Financing For Development: Thinking Innovative Solutions to Persistent Development Challenges’, held on 22-23 November, 2018 in Istanbul. The meeting was organized by The Statistical, Economic, Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB).

The primary objective of the Symposium was to hold dialogues and discussions among policymakers, policy-advisors, practitioners and academicians to address the problems related to financing for development.

During the meeting, discussions were held with the decision-makers from all organizing bodies comprising of OIC, SESRIC, and IDB. These included Ambassador Musa KULAKLIKAYA, Director General of SESRIC. Separate discussion was held with the Technical Cooperation Specialist for Training and Technical Cooperation Department at SESRIC, Mr. Onur Caglar, on the possibilities of further engagement between the COMSATS and SESRIC.

During a meeting with him, Mr. Wasim Ahmed Abdulwahab, Director, Islamic Financial Sector Development Department, Islamic Development Bank recalled his earlier meeting with the Executive Director of COMSATS, Dr. S.M. Junaid Zaidi, when he was Rector at COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI). Detailed discussions were held with Mr. Abdulwahab and his associate, Mr. Yahya Aleem-ur-Rehman on possibilities of funding to the Commission for its various activities. They were very forthcoming in providing all possible assistance in the matter.

  

A meeting was also held with Dr. Huseyin Avni Bicakli, Deputy Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), headquartered in Iran, on the sidelines of the event and possibilities were discussed to facilitate the Commission in the fulfillment of its endeavors. It was mutually agreed that more correspondence and interaction will be undertaken for forging a meaningful alliance.

On the sidelines of this important event, Dr. Jahangir met with Mr. H. Halil AFSARATA, Chief Adviser of Vice President, Chief Coordinator of FRiT Funds, to discuss a possible roadmap of future cooperation.

Participation in the event provided an excellent opportunity for networking, exploring avenues of collaboration and interaction with potential partners.