Islamabad: The International Conference and Training Workshop on 'Food Systems Transformation for Climate Actions' (ICTW-FSTCA 2025) was inaugurated today at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, under the COMSTECH Forum on Environment and Ecosystem Restoration (CFEER).
The event is jointly organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (OIC-COMSTECH), the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Makerere University, with in-kind support from the Islamic University in Uganda.
Distinguished guests at the inaugural session included H.E. Mr. Muhammad Hassan Wazir, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Uganda; H.E. Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University; Dr. Rosie Agoi, Secretary General of the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO/ICESCO; and Dr. M. Sharif, Advisor for Science and Technology at ICESCO.
In his inaugural address, Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH, welcomed participants from across the OIC region and commended Makerere University for hosting the event. He noted that representatives from over 27 OIC member and observer states, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, are attending the workshop, which aims to strengthen collaboration on sustainable food systems, climate action, and agricultural innovation.
Prof. Choudhary emphasized that the training program focuses on critical areas such as biomimicry and eco-literacy, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable food systems, energy in agriculture, and nutrition and health. He underlined the vital role of science, technology, and innovation in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in ensuring food security, environmental protection, and economic resilience.
Sharing insights from his visit to the Songhai Center in West Africa, Prof. Choudhary described it as a model of 'science at work,' where human ingenuity and nature's precision combine to combat food insecurity and climate challenges.
He further highlighted the establishment of the COMSTECH Forum on Environment and Ecosystem Restoration (CFEER) in 2022 to promote South-South and triangular cooperation among OIC member states. The forum supports collaboration in areas of climate change, biodiversity, and the food-water-energy nexus, aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement, the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030).
Reaffirming COMSTECH's commitment to regional cooperation, Prof. Choudhary said the organization continues to promote science and technology-driven solutions, capacity building, and innovation to meet global climate and sustainability challenges. He expressed confidence that the workshop will inspire participants to become leaders in green entrepreneurship and sustainable agriculture, contributing to a resilient and food-secure Islamic world.
The three-day conference and training workshop will continue until October 30, 2025, featuring expert lectures, interactive discussions, and capacity-building sessions led by international specialists in sustainable food systems and climate action.