Islamabad, October 25, 2024. COMSATS and the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) signed a MoU for complementing each other for Science Advocacy and Regional Development. It was signed by Executive Director COMSATS, Ambassador Dr. M. Nafees Zakaria, and Director General ISSI, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, today at COMSATS Secretariat.

COMSATS is an intergovernmental organization of 27 member developing countries, committed to advancing scientific research, innovations and technologies for sustainable development. ISSI is an autonomous premier think tank of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dedicated to providing in-depth understanding and objective analyses of regional and global strategic issues impacting international peace and security.

The MoU will pave the way for collaboration for activities such as scientific research, studies and publications, professional exchange and capacity building, sharing of knowledge and experiences, science diplomacy, and regional & international cooperation.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Ambassadors and diplomats, Heads/representatives of COMSATS’ partner organizations, as well as senior officers of COMSATS and ISSI.

Amb. Sohail Mahmood deliberated on ISSI’s commitment to expanding partnerships and outreach to niche specialized institutions. He considered COMSATS as one such organization focused at S&T for development. Amb. Mahmood highlighted ISSI’s vision of next generation programs that concentrate on youth-inclusive dialogue and research. He noted that we need to pay critical attention to topics such as “Global South” and Middle Powers — the key players in both geopolitical and geo-economic landscapes.

In his remarks, Amb. Zakaria expressed unflinching commitment of COMSATS to pass on the benefits of contemporary technologies to its Member States, and noted that COMSATS aspires to benefit from the strengths of ISSI with an aim to promoting intra-South reliance and cooperation. He highlighted some of the recent initiatives of COMSATS in the emerging fields of science and technology. He considered the MoU signing as beginning of mutually beneficial collaboration between COMSATS and ISSI.

The collaboration reflects the shared commitment of COMSATS and ISSI to harness latest technologies and innovation for sustainable development on a global scale.