Parliamentarians’ forum on science, diplomacy concludes

Muscat: The ‘Regional Forum of Parliamentarians in Science and Diplomacy’ Forum organised by the Islamic Educational, Scientific Cultural Organisation (ISESCO) in cooperation with the State Council, representing the Sultanate concluded on Tuesday.
The forum, which commenced yesterday, was patronised by Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri, Chairman of the State Council.
The proceedings of the forum started with delivery of speeches by the State Council’s Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Al Saidi, Dr Amina Al Hajri, Director-General of ISESCO and Khamis bin Said Al Sulaimi, State Council member who spoke on behalf of Dr. Meshaal bin Fahmi Al Salami, President of the Arab Parliament.
The Forum was attended by parliamentarians, experts and thinkers from nine Arab countries including Oman, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Tunisia, Jordan, Morocco and Sudan.
The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO) was founded by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in May 1979. Having 52 member states, ISESCO is one of the largest international Islamic organisations and specialises in the fields of education, science, and culture. Its headquarters is in Rabat, Morocco.
The Director General is Dr Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri. ISESCO has been UNESCO’s main partner in organising the Inter-Parliamentary Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation in the Mediterranean region since 2015, which included scientists, parliamentarians and media personnel to share experiences related to future developments in science, technology and
innovation.
Strengthening regional cooperation through science diplomacy, support and develop the role of Arab Parliaments, their contributions to the development of member states and the development of Arab policies to create high quality research institutions at various levels received focus.
It promoted the use of diplomacy to advance scientific objectives and programmes to help build linkages between countries in achieving sustainable development in the Arab region.
In addition, it aimed at enhancing the role of parliamentarians in developing legislation and policies in support of science and technology, building bridges of cooperation among member states through science diplomacy and engaging the society in science, technology and innovation issues. It also aims to deepen cooperation among scientific associations and entities in member states on supporting decision-making on science.
The working papers presented today were entitled: Activation of mechanism of the role of the Parliament in Science, Technology and innovation byy Naima Bin Yahya, Role of Parliament Diplomacy in supporting Science, Technology and Innovation in Sudan by Intisar Abu Najma, Scientific Research bin Politics, Development and Diplomacy by Sumaiya Bin Khaldoun, Regional Cooperation in Science, Development, Scientific Technology, Economy and project of Gulf Train by Dr. Sultan Bin Hasan Bin Sultan.
Dr. Suad Mohamed Ali Sulaiman Al Lawati, State Council Chairperson, presented certificates of participation to the participants of the Forum.