- Advertisement -
ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (APP):In a meeting that signaled a renewed momentum in regional scientific collaboration, Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof and OIC-COMSTECH Coordinator General Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary agreed to push their collaboration beyond traditional academic exchanges and into a more ambitious, innovation-driven partnership.
Instead of the customary discussion on cooperation, the two sides zeroed in on practical, high-value areas where joint action could create immediate impact from modernising the global halal ecosystem to strengthening scientific responses to climate vulnerabilities across the Muslim world.
One of the strongest convergences emerged around the future of the halal industry, where both leaders emphasised that the next phase of growth depends on research-backed standards, technology-enabled certification, and advanced training. Malaysian officials noted that COMSTECH’s network across OIC states creates an unprecedented opportunity to scale halal innovation beyond regional boundaries.
Healthcare collaboration also took centre stage. With Malaysia’s advanced medical and biotechnology sectors positioned as a regional hub, the two sides discussed new pathways for specialised training, technology transfer, and cross-country institutional linkages, enabling OIC Member States to build stronger, science-led health systems.
Climate resilience which is often sidelined in technical meetings was treated as a core strategic issue.
Both leaders underscored that OIC countries face shared climate pressures and that scientific cooperation, rather than isolated national efforts, will be key to building sustainable solutions.
The Deputy Prime Minister commended COMSTECH’s expanding role in unifying scientific efforts across Muslim-majority countries, while Dr. Iqbal highlighted Malaysia’s growing profile as an innovation leader ready to shape the next decade of science diplomacy.
The meeting closed with a commitment not just to continue cooperation but to accelerate it, signalling a new chapter where Malaysia and COMSTECH aim to jointly drive science, technology, and sustainable development across the OIC region.