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

THE SECRETARIAT

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The idea of human development has evolved for the better over decades to include other dimensions culminating in an all-encompassing concept of Sustainable Development. Since the idea started being popularized in 1980s and well into the third decade of the 21st century, the globe has seen and continues to see different dimensions of growth.

Digital revolution has brought a swifter change in the world affecting the narrative of growth far quickly than the industrial revolutions of the 20th Century. Transcending the Hobbesian idea of security, the world has experiences welcome shifts towards cooperation and mutual co-existence, especially after Cold War. Cooperation in science has also evolved from technical cooperation in big labs to finding cooperative solutions to global problems, while also increasing inter-disciplinarity between hard and social sciences. Hopes of better future and fast delivery on various targets aimed to build a sustainable, green and peaceful world becomes plausible, despite concurring regional conflicts and tensions. However, true realization of such aims is possible only through inclusive approach to development is adopted. Besides, interconnectedness and complexity of global issues further requires mobilization of different actors in the spirit of achieving development goals through a multi-stakeholder approach. In the similar vein, the scope of various forms of development cooperation, including South-South Cooperation and Triangular Cooperation, need to be broadened if concrete and practical solutions to global challenges are to be found.

The Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), whose genesis is drawn from the idea of creating a pool of scientific resources for developing countries to jointly meeting their challenges, also takes on the bigger challenge of creating, more than ever, effective networking opportunities, promoting transfer of knowledge and technology, and mobilizing financial resources to help achieve development along three pillars of sustainable development – environmental, social and economic.

COMSATS is focused on fostering efforts for socio-economic development in its Member States – a development that is S&T-led, sustainable in true sense of the word, and is based on mutual interests. COMSATS is an apex forum with political backing and policy foresight from a Heads of State-level Commission and ministerial Consultative Committee, as well as a Network of S&T/ R&D and higher education institutions sharing scientific and technological expertise in areas most relevant to developmental needs. Based on a mutual benefit and interdependence, COMSATS’ cooperation horizons are gradually growing beyond the South. All countries and institutions sharing COMSATS’ vision of a stronger and more developed South are welcome to join the organization’s mission.

With full commitment, COMSATS Secretariat would continue to play its due role for realizing the vision of its forefathers. This document is intended to provide a succinct yet comprehensive overview of the organization and its activities to all stakeholders, based on which they would hopefully feel encouraged to support the organization’s operations.

Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria
Executive Director COMSATS