COMSATS’ Virtual High-Level Forum on Quantum Science and Technology: Strategic Pathways for the Global South
Islamabad : In commemoration of the United Nations General Assembly’s proclamation of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ 2025), the COMSATS Centre for Climate and Sustainability (CCCS) convened a Virtual High-Level Forum on “Quantum Science and Technology: Strategic Pathways for the Global South” on 20 August 2025. Distinguished eminent Scientists and Experts Prof. Knobel Executive Director the World Academy of Sciences, Prof. Dr. Galileo Violini, Director Emeritus, CIF, Colombia, Prof. Dr. Zafer Gedik, Sabanci University, Turkiye, Prof. Ozgur E. Mustecaplioglu, Koe Univeristy, Turkiye, Dr. Hamidreza Mohammadi Khoshoei, University of Isfahan, Iran, shared their valuable knowledge and expertise.
The Forum provided an important platform to deliberate on the transformative promise of quantum science and technology (QST) in advancing sustainable development and strengthening innovation ecosystems across the Global South. Participants examined how quantum breakthroughs could enable solutions to critical challenges in climate resilience, food and water security, and equitable economic growth. Bringing together distinguished scientists, policy leaders, and science diplomats, the event fostered dialogue at the interface of science, policy, and technology governance.
Executive Director COMSATS, Ambassador Dr. Zakaria, cited Prof. Abdus Salam, Nobel Laureate in Physics that “science is the shared heritage of humankind.” And added that quantum technologies now represent a frontier of scientific discovery, national security, and industrial competitiveness. He highlighted keen interest and competition among the United States, European Union, and China and significant investments made by them in quantum technologies. He expressed confidence in the Global South’s strengths to be in the lead as architect of Quantum Revolution rather than be a follower. He highlighted COMSATS’ initiatives in artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, genomic sequencing precision agriculture and renewable energy.
Prof. Dr. Marcelo Knobel, Executive Director emphasized that quantum technologies are a collective global enterprise with far-reaching implications for healthcare, sustainable agriculture, and next-generation industries. He stressed the importance of doctoral training, mobility programmes, and science diplomacy in empowering the South’s research communities, while noting that the region’s reservoir of scientific talent remains underutilized and must be harnessed to ensure equitable participation in the quantum era.
The technical session featured presentations by Prof. Dr. Galileo Violini (Centro Internacional de Física, Colombia), Prof. Dr. Zafer Gedik (Sabancı University, Türkiye), Prof. Dr. Özgür E. Müstecaplıoğlu (Koç University, Türkiye), and Dr. Hamidreza Mohammadi Khoshoei (University of Isfahan, Iran). Speakers outlined national frameworks for advancing QST, highlighting the urgency of bridging the quantum divide through collaborative research, open-access infrastructure, enabling policy frameworks, and youth engagement.
The Forum concluded with a reaffirmation of the need to embed quantum capabilities into national innovation strategies, expand South–South and triangular research cooperation, and cultivate youth-led innovation ecosystems. It underscored that quantum technologies must be treated as a shared global public good, advancing not only scientific frontiers but also intergenerational equity, technological self-reliance, and inclusive prosperity.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
