Kazakhstan , 10th September 2017 : The Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and technology, Her Excellency Prof Sarah Anyang Agbor addressed Heads of states and Government and official delegations of member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at its first Summit on Science and Technology in Astana, Kazakhstan, on 10-11 September 2017 on behalf of the AUC Chairperson H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat.
The Summit was opened by the president of Kazakhstan, H.E. Nursultan Nazarbayev with supporting addresses from the presidents of Turkey, Pakistan (the chair of COMSTECH), the president of the African Union H.E. Alpha Conde as well as Heads of States from other OIC regional groups and the secretary general of OIC.
The First Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Science and Technology was decided at the 13th Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to establish a framework to hold Science and Technology Summits on a regular basis. It marks the beginning of a new process aimed at rethinking the historical role of the Muslim Ummah in the area of scientific and technological modernization of the world community.

This Summit is a practical step to reducing scientific and technological gaps between Muslim Ummah and developed countries, and also a contribution to fast tracking the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promotion of the principles of cooperation and solidarity among all OIC Member States. The main output of the Summit are: the Astana Declaration and the Outcome Document “OIC Science, Technology and Innovation Agenda 2026.” The Summit was preceeded by Ministerial Meeting on 9th September, 2017 under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Erlan SAGADIYEV.

In her address, Commissioner Sarah Anyang Agbor stressed on the role of Scientific advances and technological innovations in driving African countries to attain economic growth and sustainable development, through a strong, dynamic, and sustainable research enterprise capable of translating scientific discoveries into products, services, and processes that are required by the society and economic development. She emphasized that this has led the African Union to adopt the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2014) as a ten year platform within the framework of Agenda 2063 for deploying Science, Technology and Innovation in the continent fostering social transformation and economic competitiveness. Its implementation is focusing on addressing six distinct socio-economic priorities namely: (1) Eradicating Hunger and ensuring Food and Nutrition Security; (2) Prevention and Control of Diseases; (3) Protection of our space; (4) Communication; (5) Promoting Living together and Building the Society; and (6) Creation of Prosperity.
She advocated for further strengthening the African Union cooperation with OIC and urged the Islamic Development Bank to avail resources within the framework of the Science, Technology and Innovation Funds to support the implementation of STISA-2024 in African Union member states.

For further information:
Dr. Mahama Ouedraogo, Ag. Director , HRST ouedraogom@africa-union.org