Islamabad, 9 September 2026: The COMSATS Secretariat, in collaboration with the UNESCO Pakistan Office and the Economic Cooperation Organization Science Foundation (ECOSF), launched a Joint Regional Webinar Series on Science, Ethics and Innovation under the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD) 2024–2033.
The first webinar of the eleven-part series, titled “UNESCO Initiatives on Bioethics and Human Rights,” was held virtually with the participation of more than 60 representatives, including researchers, academics, experts and other stakeholders from different countries and institutions.
The webinar provided a platform to discuss the intersection of science, ethics and human rights, with particular emphasis on the role of bioethics in ensuring that scientific and technological advancement remains grounded in human dignity, fundamental rights and equitable access.
The session featured opening remarks by H.E. Mr. Fuad Pashayev, Chief of Office and Representative of UNESCO Pakistan, and Dr. Dafna Feinholz, Chief of the Bioethics and Ethics of Science and Technology Section at UNESCO Headquarters. The collaborative initiative was also supported by Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, Executive Director of COMSATS, and Prof. Syed Komail Tayebi, President of ECOSF.
The technical segment brought together experts from Australia, Iran and Pakistan. Dr. Ehsan Shamsi Gooshki of Monash University, Australia; Dr. Ali Moosavi Movahedi, UNESCO Chair at the University of Tehran, Iran; and Prof. Dr. Ramla Shahid, Director of the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC), Kohsar University Murree, Pakistan, shared perspectives on contemporary bioethical challenges and the relevance of ethical frameworks to scientific research and innovation.
Discussions addressed a range of issues, including the relationship between science, human dignity and fundamental rights; institutional mechanisms for the practical application of bioethics; research ethics and equitable international partnerships; and the ethical dimensions of science and technology in relation to nature, communities and sustainable development.
Particular attention was given to strengthening research collaborations between countries of the North and South, ensuring that such partnerships generate social value and are based on principles of equity and mutual benefit. The speakers also highlighted the importance of engaging communities in scientific processes and ensuring that advances in science and technology contribute meaningfully to societal well-being.
The webinar further examined emerging ethical considerations associated with responsible science, including privacy, informed consent and the protection of human rights in scientific research and technological development.
The Joint Regional Webinar Series is designed to facilitate continued dialogue among experts, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders on the ethical, social and developmental dimensions of science and innovation. The eleven sessions will explore themes aligned with the priorities of UNESCO and the broader objectives of the IDSSD 2024–2033, with a particular focus on promoting responsible and inclusive approaches to scientific and technological advancement.
Through this collaborative initiative, COMSATS, UNESCO Pakistan and ECOSF seek to strengthen regional and international knowledge exchange and encourage greater consideration of ethical principles in science, research and innovation. The series will provide opportunities for experts from different regions and disciplines to share knowledge, experiences and perspectives on issues of common relevance to sustainable development.
The subsequent sessions of the webinar series will address further dimensions of science, ethics and innovation, contributing to continued regional dialogue and cooperation in support of sustainable development and human well-being.
