On 24 July 2026, The Executive Director of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, received a high-level delegation from the Islamic Republic of Iran at the COMSATS Secretariat, Islamabad, to discuss avenues for strengthening scientific cooperation and expanding collaboration in research, innovation, and capacity-building among COMSATS Member States.
The Iranian delegation comprised Prof. Mehdi Abtahi, Deputy Minister for Research, Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (MSRT); Prof. Ahmad Reza Roshan, Advisor to the Minister of Science, Research and Technology; Mr. Mahmoud Hojjati, ECO Coordinator at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Islamic Republic of Iran; and Prof. Seyed Komail Tayebi, President of the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF). Head CCCS/ IPOs' Dr. Mehwish Durani and Senior officials from the COMSATS International Partner Organizations (IPO) and the COMSATS Centre for Climate and Sustainability (CCCS) also participated in the meeting.
During the meeting, the Executive Director briefed the delegation on COMSATS' mandate, institutional framework, and extensive international network, highlighting the organization's flagship Programmes and initiatives that promote science, technology, and innovation (STI) for sustainable development across the Global South. He underscored COMSATS' commitment to fostering South-South cooperation by strengthening scientific partnerships, facilitating technology transfer, promoting knowledge exchange, and supporting evidence-based solutions to shared developmental challenges.
The two sides exchanged views on enhancing collaboration in scientific research, higher education, innovation, technology development, and capacity-building. Discussions focused on identifying opportunities for joint research initiatives, academic and institutional linkages, scientist exchange Programmes, and collaborative projects in priority areas of mutual interest. Both sides also emphasized the importance of strengthening regional scientific cooperation and leveraging existing institutional networks to address emerging global challenges through science, technology, and innovation.
Ambassador Zakaria reaffirmed COMSATS' commitment to expanding partnerships with leading scientific and research institutions across its Member States. He noted that sustained collaboration among governments, academia, research organizations, and international partners is essential for advancing scientific excellence, innovation, and sustainable development throughout the Global South.
Prof. Mehdi Abtahi appreciated COMSATS' significant contributions towards promoting scientific cooperation and capacity-building among developing countries and expressed Iran's keen interest in further strengthening collaboration with COMSATS. He highlighted the importance of enhancing institutional linkages, facilitating knowledge exchange, and promoting joint research Programmes that contribute to regional development and scientific advancement.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, and exploring new opportunities for collaborative initiatives that support sustainable development, regional integration, and scientific excellence among COMSATS Member States.
