17.06.2021
UAE
The head of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation urges focus on education, and food security
On Wednesday, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held the second Islamic Summit on Science and Technology, organized by the UAE on the theme “Science, Technology and Innovation: Opening New Horizons".
During a speech at the summit, the OIC Secretary-General, Dr. Youssef Al-Othaimeen, said “ " The OIC member States have made significant progress over the past period, as the number of scientific publications has increased by 34 per cent, and the value of technology exports from the OIC countries has increased by 32 per cent.”
He added that large funds have invested in higher education in all the OIC countries, and many member states have initiated major scientific projects that include artificial intelligence, green cities in Saudi Arabia, renewable energy and the digital economy.
Al-Othaimeen also drew attention to the UAE-developed space probe that is successfully orbiting Mars, in addition to other innovative technological projects in the OIC member States.
He called for practical steps to be taken to address the challenges to scientific development and to make full use of all available opportunities to achieve technological progress and achieve social and economic growth in member states.
The Secretary-General stressed the need for inter-Islamic cooperation and partnership in the field of education through increased academic interaction and knowledge sharing through scholarships and research trips.
Speaking about stable food security, Al-Othaimeen said that the OIC member states are facing challenges in the form of competition for resources, climate change and low productivity due to the lack of mechanization.
As a result, there is an urgent need to increase investment in agricultural science and research, as well as to find innovations in the development of new types of crops, he added.
During a speech at the summit, the OIC Secretary-General, Dr. Youssef Al-Othaimeen, said “ " The OIC member States have made significant progress over the past period, as the number of scientific publications has increased by 34 per cent, and the value of technology exports from the OIC countries has increased by 32 per cent.”
He added that large funds have invested in higher education in all the OIC countries, and many member states have initiated major scientific projects that include artificial intelligence, green cities in Saudi Arabia, renewable energy and the digital economy.
Al-Othaimeen also drew attention to the UAE-developed space probe that is successfully orbiting Mars, in addition to other innovative technological projects in the OIC member States.
He called for practical steps to be taken to address the challenges to scientific development and to make full use of all available opportunities to achieve technological progress and achieve social and economic growth in member states.
The Secretary-General stressed the need for inter-Islamic cooperation and partnership in the field of education through increased academic interaction and knowledge sharing through scholarships and research trips.
Speaking about stable food security, Al-Othaimeen said that the OIC member states are facing challenges in the form of competition for resources, climate change and low productivity due to the lack of mechanization.
As a result, there is an urgent need to increase investment in agricultural science and research, as well as to find innovations in the development of new types of crops, he added.