The Sector of Science and Technology at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part in the World Science Forum 2022, held by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology of the Republic of South Africa, in partnership with the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, under the theme, “Science for Social Justice”. The Forum was attended by the President of the Republic of South Africa, Dr. Cyril Ramaphosa, in addition to several ministers, officials working in international organizations and institutions, and experts in the field of science and innovation.

Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of the Sector of Science and Technology, and Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor at the Sector, represented ICESCO in the Forum held on December 6-9, 2022, in Cape Town, where they took part in the discussion panels on the contributions of science in building the societies we want. The two officials also highlighted ICESCO’s efforts to encourage initiatives and activities that promote scientific research, modern technology, innovation and building youth’s capacities.

On the sidelines of the Forum, the two ICESCO representatives held bilateral meetings with a number of officials to explore prospects of cooperation in the fields of science and technology. These included meetings with HRH Princess Sumaya bint Al-Hassan, President of the Royal Science Society of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Member of the Steering Committee of the World Science Forum; Dr. Amon Murwira, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education of the Republic of Zimbabwe; Dr. Peggy Oti-Boateng, Executive Director, African Academy of Sciences; and Mr. Rodney Swigelaar, Director of Africa Regional Office of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).