The Secretary General Commonwealth Secretariat, Patricia Scotland, warmly welcomed the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) as an accredited organisation of Commonwealth Secretariat during a Dialogue with Accredited Organisations, held at Marlborough House, London, July 31, 2018.

The accreditation to the Commonwealth provides formal recognition of the organisation becoming a part of a large network of accredited civil society and professional organisations. By virtue of the recently acquired accreditation, COMSATS became the first Pakistan-based organisation among 86 Commonwealth Accredited Organisations, including nine Associated Organisations and 77 Professional and Civil Society Organisations.

Some of the priority areas where COMSATS and the Commonwealth could work hand in hand include Science, Technology and Innovation, Sustainable Development and Climate Change. COMSATS’ Member Countries and Centres of Excellence (COE) will greatly benefit through collaborations in the form of research and development projects within the network of Commonwealth’s accredited organisations.

Speaking to the large gathering at the Dialogue, Dr. S. M. Junaid Zaidi, Executive Director COMSATS stated that COMSATS had joined the Commonwealth at the right time with the new Innovation Hub. He hoped to work together on this initiative and looked forward to positive engagement with the Secretariat and other Commonwealth organisations.

This accreditation and the cooperation with COMSATS that has ensued are important for COMSATS’ efforts to strengthen triangular cooperation and programmes. The accreditation shall now enable COMSATS and its member countries to explore new avenues for collaborations, projects and networking with one of the largest organisations in the United Kingdom.