SPEECH BY H.E. PROF. DR. EKMELEDDIN IHSANOGLU
SECRETARY-GENERAL of the OIC
Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary General Prof. Dr. EKMELEDDIN IHSANOGLU
At THE FIRST MEETING OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION ORGANIZATION (STIO)
RIYADH, THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA, 24 Feb 2010
Your Excellencies,
Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman, Coordinator General COMSTECH
His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Saud Al Saud, Vice-President King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
Distinguished Ministers and Heads of delegations
Ladies and Gentlemen,
QUOTE
It is a matter of great pleasure and satisfaction that Science, Technology and Innovation Organization (STIO) is holding the first meeting of its founding members today. I would like to begin by extending my sincere thanks and appreciation, on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), to its founding members for their forthright support in transforming the COMSTECH Secretariat into a specialized institution. I am also grateful to the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) for the warm hospitality and hosting of today’s important Meeting.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Muslim Ummah today faces a number of major challenges, chief among them is knowledge management. In the present age of globalization, where technology has experienced tremendous growth and progress, the Islamic countries have no option but to get into the race and strive to stay abreast. It is surely a formidable challenge, but this should not be an impediment. What is needed, however, is the will and the right strategy.
Fortunately, there is now an increased awareness in the Ummah of the pivotal role that Research and Development, science, technology and innovation (STI) can play in the socio-economic and cultural development of societies and the building of their future. Hence, in order to further embolden this vital role, we have no other choice but to include STI in all our socio-economic developmental plans.
The 27th Executive Committee Meeting of COMSTECH and 1st STIO Founding Members Meeting
Let me, at this stage, draw your attention to the two land-mark documents i.e. the OIC Ten-Year Programme of Action adopted in 2005 and the OIC Vision 1441 H in 2003 respectively. The Ten Year Programme of Action provides a practical and workable programme for all the OIC Member States to respond to the challenges facing the Muslim world today.
The Ummah needs to achieve higher level of development in the economic, scientific and social fields to ensure a dignified future for us in the 21st century. I am happy to note that today’s meeting brings together the policy makers, the managers, the scientists and the academicians from Member States. They can well appreciate that our development plans can bring about a meaningful transformation only if there is emphasis on creativity, innovation and research. Any strategy for this purpose should include greater academic interaction, exchange of knowledge among the academic institutions, particularly between public and private national institutions and capacity building through human resource development.
The Vision 1441 H recognizes the leading role of Science and Technology for the advancement of Ummah and in bridging the gap between the Islamic and the industrialized countries. It resolves to make a community that values knowledge and is competent in utilizing and advancing S&T to enhance the socio-economic well being of the Ummah.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
(L-R) H.E. President Mohammed I. Al-Suwaiyel (KACST), Prof. Dr. Attah-ur-Rahman (COMSTECH Coordinator General), Dr. Mohammed Ali Mahesar (COMSTECH Asst. Coordinator General and Ambassador Abdul Moiz Bokhari (OIC-Assistant Sec. General for S & T)
It is indeed gratifying to note that the initiative to strengthen the COMSTECH Secretariat and transforming it into Science, Technology and Innovation Organization (STIO) is being taken in line with the spirit of the new OIC vision in the field of Science and Technology.
Therefore, the OIC General Secretariat is ready and happy to extend all its possible support and assistance to this specialized organ.
I am fully confident that the STIO shall attain all its objectives by utilizing the scientific talent and technological potential of the OIC Member States and by fostering their technical competence and capabilities to enable them to face the challenges of the new millennium.
At this juncture, it is also very important to draw the attention of the STIO to the need for forging meaningful cooperation with the world leading centers of STI in Europe, USA, Japan and Russia in order to benefit from their experience and expertise.
In addition, I would like to encourage the STIO to work in tandem while avoiding overlapping with the activities of other OIC science and technology institutions and centers. I am confident that the STIO will soon develop a program of work which would contribute towards effective implementation of the OIC Ten-Year Programme of Action and the OIC vision 1441 H for Science and Technology.
I would also like to recommend that the STIO may consider initiating STI based commercial ventures including public-private partnership. I believe that commercialization of research outputs is one of the most effective means to encourage and promote development of science, technology and innovation in the Muslim World.
The activities undertaken by IDB and ISESCO deserve a special mention. Both the institutions are making a meaningful contribution in promoting scientific, technical and research capabilities in the Member States. I encourage membership of the STIO to extend necessary support to these organizations in carrying forward our goal of achieving excellence in the fields of science and technology.
Finally, I take this opportunity to stress the crucial need and importance of full engagement of all OIC Member States in the activities of the STIO. This is how our vision of Joint Islamic Action and Islamic solidarity can be realized. This of course requires the political will and readiness of our Member States to pool together their resources and efforts in this vital domain.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
I would like to conclude by conveying my best wishes for the success of the STIO for the benefit of the Muslim World. I also wish to reiterate my profound thanks and gratitude to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for their hosting and providing generous support to this institution.” UNQUOTE
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