islamabad - The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and COMSATS signed an agreement to promote cooperation in the areas of research and joint publications, an official said on Thursday.

COMSATS and ESCAP will provide a framework of cooperation and to facilitate collaboration in research. UN Under Secretary for ESCAP Dr Shamshad Akhtar and Executive Director COMSATS Dr S. M Junaid Zaidi signed the MoU in a ceremony held in Islamabad.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanveer Hussain was the chief guest on this occasion while Yasmeen Masood, Federal Secretary, Ministry for Science and Technology, Ambassadors of various countries, UN Resident Representative and diplomats from various missions were present to witness this important milestone for COMSATS. 

According to the agreement, ESCAP and COMSATS will promote cooperation in the areas of research and joint publications; organizing and participating in joint events and conduct capacity building and training workshops. 

The ESCAP will also undertake measures and initiatives to strengthen the activities of COMSATS including the Network of Centres of Excellence and consider joint publications and exchange of information and documents on issues of mutual interest and experts in various fields.

ESCAP will also provide support to enhance COMSATS’ membership drive. 

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Shamshad Akhtar appreciated the role of the Ministry of Science and Technology in promoting research and innovation culture in the country. 

While appreciating the visionary leadership of Dr Junaid Zaidi and efforts that the COMSATS has been making to promote development cooperation among the countries from the South,  Dr Akhtar also assured the full support and cooperation of ESCAP with COMSATS. 

Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Science and Technology, while speaking on the occasion, said that cooperation of such kind will be beneficial for not only Pakistan but for the entire developing countries member to COMSATS. 

Federal Minister said that the Government of Pakistan has taken several key initiatives to promote the culture of research and innovation in the country.