'Science diplomacy best route to enhance Pakistan-Swiss ties'

Foreign ministry holds hybrid event on agricultural technologies

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland on Wednesday, held a hybrid event on agricultural technologies-related innovation for sustainable agriculture.

The event brought together, physically and virtually, nearly 100 science and technology-related stakeholders from Pakistan and Switzerland. It also featured an exhibition of start-ups related to agri-bio and agri-tech in Pakistan, showcasing a diverse range of products and services.

In his address, the Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam welcomed the interface between local innovation stakeholders and potential international partners.

He emphasised the need for incorporating recent innovations such as precision agriculture to increase the productivity of the agricultural value chain. In this context, he also lauded the efforts of the local start-ups that are transforming the agricultural sector and affiliated industries in the country with the full support of the Government of Pakistan.

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The United Nations/Science Diplomacy director general said Pakistan and Switzerland's friendly relations would be further strengthened through science diplomacy related engagements that can create scientific linkages and technological collaboration between the two countries.

The Swiss chargé d'affair echoed similar sentiments and underscored the necessity of scientific cooperation to help tackle the multifaceted issues of climate change and food security. He also highlighted that sustainability is an important element for Swiss companies and one of their prioritised agenda for international partnerships.

The participants from Pakistan included representatives from the Special Technology Zones Authority, Higher Education Commission, National Science and Technology Park, National University of Science and Technology and SUPARCO.

The representation from the Swiss side included experts from the Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture, the Geneva Science Diplomacy Anticipator, the Swiss Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, and some major Swiss start-ups working in the clean technology sector.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2021.