Islamabad, September 15, 2026: Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, and Coordinator-General of OIC-COMSTECH, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, held a meeting at the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah to discuss strengthening scientific, technological, academic and healthcare cooperation among OIC member states.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary congratulated Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed on his appointment as OIC Secretary-General and expressed confidence that his leadership would further enhance the effectiveness of the OIC General Secretariat in serving the Muslim Ummah.
The OIC Secretary-General appreciated the continued contributions of COMSTECH and Pakistan towards the Palestinian cause, particularly COMSTECH’s offer of 5,000 fellowships and scholarships for Palestinian students and scholars.
He expressed a desire to meet Palestinian scholars, medical students and biomedical researchers during his upcoming visit to Pakistan and appreciated COMSTECH’s continued support for the Palestinian scientific and academic community.
The Secretary-General expressed particular interest in COMSTECH’s initiatives in artificial intelligence (AI) and called for the organization to take a leading role in developing an OIC-wide AI initiative.
He emphasized that the Muslim world should not remain merely a user of AI but should become a developer, innovator and contributor to emerging AI technologies. He stressed the need for greater cooperation among OIC member states in developing and applying AI across key sectors while ensuring that Islamic ethical principles and core values are reflected and protected in the AI era.
Highlighting the strategic importance of science, technology and innovation for the Muslim world’s development, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said he would discuss enhanced support for science and technology with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Co-Chairman of COMSTECH.
He also underscored Pakistan’s important leadership role and longstanding contribution to scientific and technological advancement within the OIC.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary briefed the Secretary-General on COMSTECH’s major ongoing and planned initiatives in science and technology, higher education, healthcare, capacity building, AI and support for OIC member states.
The meeting also reviewed COMSTECH’s Health Africa Programme and initiatives concerning healthcare, pandemic preparedness, scholar mobility, women-focused programmes, water resource management and food security.
The two sides highlighted the importance of convening the General Assembly of OIC-COMSTECH, along with its Executive Committee, at the earliest possible date. The OIC Secretary-General said he would consult Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the matter.
The Secretary-General reaffirmed the OIC General Secretariat’s support for COMSTECH and appreciated its role as a key OIC institution in advancing science, technology, higher education, research, innovation and capacity building across member states.
Assistant Secretary-General for Science and Technology of the OIC Ambassador Aftab Ahmad Khokher and Prof. Dr. Ahmed Said Ould Bah, Director General at the Cabinet of the OIC Secretary-General, were also present at the meeting.
Islamabad, September 15, 2026: Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, and Coordinator-General of OIC-COMSTECH, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, held a meeting at the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah to discuss strengthening scientific, technological, academic and healthcare cooperation among OIC member states.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary congratulated Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed on his appointment as OIC Secretary-General and expressed confidence that his leadership would further enhance the effectiveness of the OIC General Secretariat in serving the Muslim Ummah.
The OIC Secretary-General appreciated the continued contributions of COMSTECH and Pakistan towards the Palestinian cause, particularly COMSTECH’s offer of 5,000 fellowships and scholarships for Palestinian students and scholars.
He expressed a desire to meet Palestinian scholars, medical students and biomedical researchers during his upcoming visit to Pakistan and appreciated COMSTECH’s continued support for the Palestinian scientific and academic community.
The Secretary-General expressed particular interest in COMSTECH’s initiatives in artificial intelligence (AI) and called for the organization to take a leading role in developing an OIC-wide AI initiative.
He emphasized that the Muslim world should not remain merely a user of AI but should become a developer, innovator and contributor to emerging AI technologies. He stressed the need for greater cooperation among OIC member states in developing and applying AI across key sectors while ensuring that Islamic ethical principles and core values are reflected and protected in the AI era.
Highlighting the strategic importance of science, technology and innovation for the Muslim world’s development, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said he would discuss enhanced support for science and technology with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Co-Chairman of COMSTECH.
He also underscored Pakistan’s important leadership role and longstanding contribution to scientific and technological advancement within the OIC.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary briefed the Secretary-General on COMSTECH’s major ongoing and planned initiatives in science and technology, higher education, healthcare, capacity building, AI and support for OIC member states.
The meeting also reviewed COMSTECH’s Health Africa Programme and initiatives concerning healthcare, pandemic preparedness, scholar mobility, women-focused programmes, water resource management and food security.
The two sides highlighted the importance of convening the General Assembly of OIC-COMSTECH, along with its Executive Committee, at the earliest possible date. The OIC Secretary-General said he would consult Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the matter.
The Secretary-General reaffirmed the OIC General Secretariat’s support for COMSTECH and appreciated its role as a key OIC institution in advancing science, technology, higher education, research, innovation and capacity building across member states.
Assistant Secretary-General for Science and Technology of the OIC Ambassador Aftab Ahmad Khokher and Prof. Dr. Ahmed Said Ould Bah, Director General at the Cabinet of the OIC Secretary-General, were also present at the meeting.
