Event type: Regional Webinar Series under the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD 2024–2033)
COMSATS, in partnership with the UNESCO Office in Pakistan and the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF), is convening the Webinar Series on Science, Ethics and Innovation under the framework of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD 2024–2033).
Science, technology and innovation (STI) are advancing sustainable development while also raising complex ethical, legal and societal challenges, particularly in biology, medicine and the life sciences. Ensuring that scientific progress respects human dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms has become an important global priority.
As the inaugural session of the series, Webinar 1 — UNESCO Initiatives on Bioethics and Human Rights (9 September 2026) — will promote dialogue, science diplomacy and South-South cooperation while advancing the implementation of UNESCO’s global bioethics framework, including the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights (2005).
The series will continue monthly across eleven thematic sessions through August 2027, bringing together policymakers, scientists, academicians, Centres of Excellence and international partners from the COMSATS and ECO regions.
Objectives
- Increase awareness of UNESCO’s normative instruments and initiatives on bioethics and human rights.
- Promote dialogue on ethical governance of science, medicine and the life sciences.
- Share experiences and good practices in bioethics governance and ethics education.
- Strengthen institutional partnerships and South-South cooperation among Member States.
Key themes (Webinar 1)
- UNESCO’s Global Ethics Programme
- Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights
- National Bioethics Committees and ethics education
- Emerging ethical issues in life sciences
- Regional cooperation and South-South collaboration
Full webinar series themes
- Webinar 1: UNESCO Initiatives on Bioethics and Human Rights (Opening Session) — 9 September 2026
- Webinar 2: Ethics of Science and Technology
- Webinar 3: Science and Scientific Researchers
- Webinar 4: Open Science
- Webinar 5: Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
- Webinar 6: Ethics of Neurotechnology
- Webinar 7: UNESCO Global Quantum Initiative
- Webinar 8: Science Centres and Science Parks
- Webinar 9: Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy
- Webinar 10: STEM Education
- Webinar 11: Women in Science
Programme highlights (9 September 2026)
- 10:00 – Context setting: Mr. Raza Shah, UNESCO Office in Pakistan
- 10:05 – Welcome remarks: Dr. Fuad Pashayev, Representative of UNESCO in Pakistan
- 10:12 – Remarks: Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, Executive Director, COMSATS
- 10:19 – Remarks: Prof. Seyed Komail Tayebi, President, ECO Science Foundation
- 10:25 – Ethical Issues in International Research Collaboration: Dr. Ehsan Shamsi Gooshki, Monash University
- 10:40 – Human Wisdom: The Foundation of Bioethics: Dr. Ali Moosavi Movahedi, University of Tehran
- 10:55 – Ethics Beyond Medicine: UNESCO’s Vision for Responsible Science: Prof. Dr. Ramla Shahid, Kohsar University
- 11:10 – Questions and Answers
- 11:25 – Vote of Thanks
