ECOSF and IRP jointly organized the webinar Post COVID-19: Reorienting – STI Cooperation amongst the Belt and Road Countries during the Virtual Innovation Summit
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ECOSF in collaboration with Institute of Research Promotion (IRP) Pakistan hosted a joint webinar on “Post COVID-19: Reorienting – STI Cooperation amongst the Belt and Road Countries” during the Innovation Summit 2020 on September 18, 2020.
The objective of holding this session was to address as to how effectively utilize the ECOSF platform to synergize strengths of China and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Countries including the ECO Member States to reorient our priorities and ensure rapid and inclusive sustainable growth to achieve Sustainable Development Goals during the post COVID scenario.
Engr. Khalil Raza, Scientific Officer ECOSF moderated the session and steered the discussion on the need for International collaboration across scientists and experts to bring evidence and scientific consensus to the attention of policymakers to make informed decisions grounded on evidence-based research with relevance to COVID-19.
Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro, President ECOSF in his welcome remarks said that COVID-19 has not only raised the expectations we have of science, but it has also emphasized the fact that global challenges require global solutions. Thus, COVID-19 is really a call for reinforced scientific collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Prof. Dr. Hu Zhijian, President, Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development (CASTED) emphasized over the need for development joint laboratories, institutes, and regional technology transfer platforms to accelerate and strengthen STI cooperation in the BRI region. Dr. Zhijian highlighted a number of joint collaborations and programs that have been initiated among Chinese S&T Institutions and other BRI countries.
Dato Lee Yee Cheong, President, The Academy of Engineering and Technology for the Developing World (AETDEW), Malaysia and Member, International Advisory Board of ECOSF while delivering his speech underscored that Pakistan is undoubtedly the largest partner of China in BRI with the CPEC program embracing all major economic and infrastructure sectors. He further suggested that ECOSF in collaboration with China and ECO Member Countries raise the banner of post COVID-19 Development Revolution for countries of the South.
Ms. Xin Bing, Director General, Children Youth and Science Center delivered his recorded message during the webinar. Ms. Bing highlighted key developments directed towards accelerated cooperation between China and other countries under the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan. Ms Bing further said that China has been a great contributor in promoting broader cooperation in science and innovation. She also highlighted a number of fruitful initiatives that CYSC has been undertaking in partnership with the ECOSF.
Ms. Frahat Asif, President, Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies underlined that China has demonstrated extremely well the way it has dealt with COVID-19 crisis. This shows that China by virtue of its science and technology has developed robust health care sector. Thus, China through its experience and expertise can assist other BRI Countries and share the best practices in the development and management of STI in the post COVID-19 setting. She also put forwarded her valued ideas and highlighting important cooperation initiatives and mechanism between China and Pakistan.
Dr. Di Yuna, Associate Professor, Dean, Department of International Business Management, School of International Economics and Management, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU) underlined may strategic initiatives by BTBU to promote the integrated development of the BRI countries with help of Chinese S&T expertise. Dr. Yuna also shed some light on the Joint Training Center by BTBU and ECOSF to establish a cross-industry and trans-disciplinary international training program to build essential human resource capital among participating countries to achieve overarching goals of BRI.
At the end, floor was opened for the Q&A session where panelists responded and contributed to fruitful discussions.
The recorded session is available on ECOSF Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ECOScienceFoundation/videos/722343951680703