Islamabad :- 7th Meeting of the OIC Steering Committee on Implementation of STI Agenda 2026 commenced at the OIC-COMSTECH Secretariat . The two-day meeting brought together representatives of key OIC institutions to review progress, assess challenges, and formulate recommendations for the final phase of implementation of the OIC STI Agenda 2026.
Welcoming the distinguished delegates, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH, presented a brief overview on the Implementation and highlighted the priority areas of the STI Agenda.
He also presented a collective vision of the OIC to harness science and innovation as engines of sustainable development and socio-economic progress. Since its adoption at the First OIC Summit on STI in Astana in 2017, the Agenda has provided a structured framework to guide cooperation among OIC institutions, align national and institutional initiatives, and promote knowledge-based development across Member States.
Reviewing developments since the 6th Steering Committee Meeting held in April 2025, the Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH noted significant progress in capacity building, research collaboration, innovation support, and institutional strengthening. At the same time, he acknowledged persistent challenges, including resource constraints and uneven implementation capacities. He called for enhanced coordination and joint programming among the OIC institutions to maximize outcomes and avoid duplication of efforts.
By reaffirming the COMSTECH’s commitment, Prof. Choudhary assured continued support to the OIC General Secretariat and partner institutions in advancing the objectives of the STI Agenda 2026.
In his opening remarks, the Assistant Secretary-General (S&T) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ambassador Aftab Ahmed Khokhar emphasized that science, technology, and innovation remain central to sustainable development, economic resilience, and technological self-reliance across OIC Member States. He reiterated that the STI Agenda 2026 provides a strategic and forward-looking framework for strengthening research cooperation, promoting knowledge sharing, and fostering innovation-driven growth.
The Assistant Secretary General stressed the importance of sustained political commitment, effective monitoring mechanisms, and resource mobilization to ensure successful implementation of the agenda. He commended COMSTECH for its coordinating role and urged member states and OIC institutions to accelerate efforts during the remaining implementation period to ensure impactful and measurable outcomes.
The meeting agenda includes a comprehensive review of progress, assessment of implementation challenges, institutional presentations on actions taken since April 2025, and formulation of recommendations for inclusion in the draft final report of the STI Agenda 2026.
Representatives from COMSTECH, COMCEC, Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB), Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), ICESCO, SESRIC, Islamic World Academy of Sciences (IAS), Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), Islamic University of Technology (IUT), Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), King Faisal University (Chad), Turkic Academy, Union of OIC News Agencies (OIC-UNA), are scheduled to present progress reports.
The Steering Committee was established in line with the Astana Declaration and Priority No. 12 of the OIC STI Agenda 2026 to oversee and monitor its implementation. COMSTECH serves as the designated Secretariat, coordinating efforts among Member States and OIC institutions.
The deliberations of the 7th Steering Committee Meeting are expected to contribute significantly to strengthening institutional coordination and shaping a more impactful future for science, technology, and innovation cooperation across the OIC region.
