Palestine becomes Comsats member

ISLAMABAD:

Palestine has joined the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) as its 23rd member state. Palestinian Ambassador Walid Abu Ali signed the accession agreement on behalf of his government on Monday in a ceremony 

held to mark the 21st anniversary of the commission. COMSATS Executive Director Dr Imtinan Elahi Qureshi signed on behalf of the commission.

The agreement is effective immediately and does not need further ratification, with the signing authorised by Palestinian government, said a press release. It also entails the appointment of a relevant ministry of the country as a focal point for the commission, and nomination of a Palestinian higher education institution to the join COMSATS Network of International Science and Technology Centres of Excellence.

Representatives of 13 diplomatic missions — Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Morocco, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Tunisia — also attended a dinner meeting earlier in the evening.

Science and Technology Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain and Secretary Fazal Abbas Maken were also present.

The ambassador expressed satisfaction on the development and admired efforts made by the commission in this regard.

He noted that it has taken place just a few days after historic occasion when Palestinian flag was raised at UN Headquarters, for which he acknowledged the support extended by other countries.

Earlier, Dr Qureshi briefed diplomats of member states on the significance and objectives of COMSATS’ upcoming Ghana meetings.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2015.