Islamabad, 7 February 2025 – His Royal Highness Prince Tengku Fahad Mua’adzam Shah, an esteemed member of the Royal Family of Pahang, Malaysia, paid a official visit to the Secretariat of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), headquartered in Islamabad, Pakistan. His Royal Highness was received with high regard by His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, Executive Director of COMSATS, accompanied by senior officials of the organization.
During the meeting, Ambassador Zakaria provided a comprehensive briefing on COMSATS’ foundational mandate and its nearly thirty-year journey of advancing science, technology, and innovation as enablers of socio-economic progress across its Member States. The Executive Director outlined COMSATS’ strategic focus on sustainable development, with particular emphasis on renewable energy and climate technologies. Flagship initiatives, including projects on Vertical Axis Wind Turbines and Electric Vehicles, were presented as evidence of COMSATS’ commitment to delivering tangible, technology-driven outcomes.
Ambassador Zakaria further highlighted COMSATS’ active engagement in the global climate arena, particularly through its participation as an Observer Intergovernmental Organization at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). He detailed the organization’s contributions to COP27 (Egypt), COP28 (UAE), and its forthcoming exclusive representation at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The discussion encompassed COMSATS’ key thematic areas of engagement, including renewable energy transition, climate-resilient agriculture, decarbonization of transport, carbon market mechanisms, youth engagement, climate diplomacy, development of bankable climate projects, and the growing concern of antimicrobial resistance.
His Royal Highness acknowledged COMSATS’ dynamic and strategic role in shaping the global discourse on climate and sustainability, noting its alignment with the priorities and aspirations of the Global South. He expressed interest in fostering closer cooperation with COMSATS, including potential engagements at future sessions of the UNFCCC and other multilateral forums.
The meeting also recalled the historic collaboration between COMSATS and Malaysian institutions, particularly in the areas of nanotechnology and renewable energy through capacity-building initiatives. Ambassador Zakaria, who previously served as Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, reaffirmed his strong personal and institutional commitment to deepening COMSATS’ scientific partnerships with Malaysia. He informed His Royal Highness of ongoing liaison with the High Commission of Malaysia in Islamabad and shared that Malaysia has been extended an invitation to consider accession to COMSATS as a Member State.
His Royal Highness Prince Tengku Fahad Mua’adzam Shah expressed appreciation for COMSATS’ enduring contributions to scientific advancement and sustainable development across developing nations. He pledged his support for exploring new avenues of collaboration, reaffirming his interest in facilitating expanded bilateral and multilateral engagement between Malaysia and COMSATS.
The visit concluded with a mutual commitment to reinforcing scientific and technological cooperation for shared progress and sustainable development in the Global South.
