COMSTECH

10/02/2026

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Islamabad:Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal Monday said Pakistan currently depended on imported vaccines for its routine immunisation programme but it was working, in...

10/02/2026

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The inauguration was graced by Syed Mustafa Kamal as the chief guest, along with Aftab Ahmad Khokher, Assistant Secretary-General...

10/02/2026

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ISLAMABAD  -  Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal said on Monday that Pakistan has formulated its first-ever national vaccine policy. He

10/02/2026

International Workshop on Natural Products for Community Education and Sustainable Capacity Building in Africa Commences at Bayero University, Kano
KANO, NIGERIA — February 9, 2026 — The International Workshop on Natural Products for Community Education and Sustainable Capacity Building in Africa has commenced at Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria. Scheduled from February 9 to 11, the workshop facilitates high-level scientific exchange through a hybrid format, welcoming both physical and virtual participants from across the OIC member states.
This significant academic gathering is organized through the collaborative efforts of OIC-COMSTECH, the World University Association for Community Development (WUACD), Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), Indonesia, and Bayero University, Kano.
The program is designed to promote applied learning and the development of practical research skills, providing a vital platform for dialogue and professional networking among participants from diverse institutional and national backgrounds. The technical curriculum is being delivered by a panel of COMSTECH Distinguished Scholars and experts from UNAIR, including Prof. Dr. Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih, Prof. Dr. Nanik Siti Aminah, and Prof. Dr. Alfinda Novi Kristanti, alongside Dr. Yuni Sari Amalia and Dr. Salma Zulqaida. Their collective expertise aims to strengthen the research competencies of attendees in the field of natural products, which remains a critical sector for regional development.
The inaugural session featured prominent leadership from the participating organizations and diplomatic community. Keynote remarks were delivered by Prof. Dr. Haruna Musa, Vice Chancellor of Bayero University; Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of OIC-COMSTECH; and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Madyan, Rector of Universitas Airlangga. Additionally, the event was addressed by Dr. AbdulKabir Oladele Oladimeji, Honorary Young Academic and Scientific Representative of OIC-COMSTECH in Nigeria, and representatives from the Embassy of Indonesia to Nigeria, including Mr. Harryansah Khairul, Minister-Counsellor for Economic Affairs.
The significance of this initiative is particularly profound for the African continent, where the establishment of robust scientific and research capacity is central to achieving sustainable development goals. For Nigeria, such collaborations contribute directly to the enhancement of human resource development and the integration of national institutions into the global research community.

10/02/2026

4th Meeting of the OIC Vaccine Manufacturers Group Successfully Concluded at COMSTECH Secretariat

The 4th Meeting of the OIC Vaccine Manufacturers Group was successfully concluded at the OIC-COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad, marking an important step towards advancing vaccine self-reliance and strengthening health security across the OIC region.

The meeting brought together delegations from 7 OIC Member States, senior representatives of the OIC General Secretariat, WHO, Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) SESRIC, SMIIC,GAVI, national regulatory authorities, vaccine manufacturers, development partners, and experts from across the Islamic world.

Key deliberations focused on governance of the OIC Vaccine Manufacturers Group, financing mechanisms, equity and access to vaccines, pandemic preparedness, regional stockpiling, emergency deployment protocols, and short-, medium-, and long-term action plans aimed at achieving vaccine self-reliance in the OIC region.

The closing ceremony was attended by Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, Pakistan. H.E. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General, OIC-COMSTECH thanked all participants for their constructive engagement and valuable contributions.
H.E. Amb. Aftab Ahmad Khokher, Assistant Secretary-General (Science & Technology), OIC appreciated the outcomes of the meeting and reaffirmed the OIC General Secretariat’s strong support for strengthening vaccine manufacturing capacities among Member States.

The meeting concluded with consensus on developing an actionable roadmap to enhance vaccine availability, affordability, quality, and regional cooperation, contributing to the OIC-wide and global health sector.

10/02/2026

COMSTECH hosts the 4th meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) vaccine Manufactures group

09/02/2026

4th Meeting of the OIC Vaccine Manufacturers Group Inaugurated at COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad.

Islamabad, Pakistan | 09 February 2026)

The 4th Meeting of the OIC Vaccine Manufacturers Group (VMG) was formally inaugurated on Monday at the OIC-COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad, marking a major milestone in advancing vaccine self-reliance and strengthening health security across the Islamic world.
The inauguration session was graced by H.E. Mr. Syed Mustafa Kamal, Federal Minister of Health as chief guest, along with H.E. Mr. Aftab Ahmad Khokher, Assistant Secretary-General (Science & Technology), OIC, and H.E. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General, OIC-COMSTECH. Dr. M. Salman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Pakistan, senior representatives of the OIC General Secretariat, WHO, Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), SESRIC, SMIIC, vaccine manufacturers, regulators, development partners, and experts from OIC Member States, were also present on the occasion.
Welcoming the distinguished participants, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary stated that hosting the fourth meeting of the VMG at a critical global juncture reflects the strong commitment of OIC member states to advancing collective health security. He emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent global supply disruptions clearly demonstrated that vaccine self-reliance is no longer an option but a strategic necessity, particularly for OIC countries facing high disease burdens and rapidly growing populations.
Highlighting the evolution of the OIC Vaccine Manufacturers Group since its establishment in 2014, Prof. Dr. Choudhary noted that the Group has laid strong foundations through cooperation agreements, joint training programmes, and the establishment of the OIC Centre of Excellence on Vaccines and Biotechnology Products in Indonesia.

Addressing the inaugural session, H.E. Mr. Syed Mustafa Kamal, Federal Minister of Health, appreciated the pivotal role of OIC-COMSTECH in promoting scientific cooperation and public health initiatives across the Islamic world. He informed participants that Pakistan is currently using 13 imported vaccines, and shared that the country aims to develop indigenous vaccine production capacity by 2030, in collaboration with OIC member states. He proposed the establishment of a Vaccine Alliance among OIC countries to collectively address the health challenges of nearly 1.9 billion people living in the Islamic world.
In his remarks, H.E. Mr. Aftab Ahmad Khokher, Assistant Secretary-General (Science & Technology), OIC, reaffirmed the strong support of the OIC General Secretariat for the Vaccine Manufacturers Group. He emphasized that strengthening vaccine manufacturing capabilities within OIC Member States is central to the Organization’s broader science, technology, and development agenda. He highlighted the importance of regulatory convergence, standardization, and enhanced intra-OIC collaboration, and commended COMSTECH for its catalytic role in convening stakeholders and translating political commitment into tangible and sustainable outcomes.
The meeting is being attended by leading vaccine manufacturers and research institutions from across the OIC region, including PT Bio Farma (Indonesia), the Pasteur Institute of Iran, the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, VaxSen–Pasteur Institute of Senegal, the Pharmaniaga Research Centre (Malaysia), and manufacturers from Pakistan and other Member States. National regulatory authorities, including the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), along with international partners such as WHO, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), SESRIC, SMIIC, and GAVI, are also participating.
The 4th Meeting of the OIC Vaccine Manufacturers Group is expected to conclude with clear recommendations and an actionable roadmap aimed at enhancing vaccine availability, affordability, quality, and regional self-reliance, thereby contributing meaningfully to OIC-wide and global health security.

P۔R.Issued by
Shabbir Hussain
0304-8178283
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

09/02/2026

We are all set to host the 4th Meeting of the OIC Vaccine Manufactures Group at our Secretariat, starting today.

Delegations from 7 OIC member countries, the OIC General Secretariat, along with our officials and the Honourable Minister of Health of Pakistan, are participating in the meeting.

We warmly welcome all delegates and officials .

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

06/02/2026

Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH, on behalf of the COMSTECH team, expresses deep sorrow and heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the tragic blast that occurred in Tarali earlier today.

He extends sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and offers prayers for eternal peace for the martyrs. Prof. Dr. Choudhary also wishes a swift and complete recovery for those injured in the incident and prays that Allah Almighty grants patience, strength, and sabr to the affected families during this difficult time.

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

The Coordinator General of COMSTECH H.E. Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, held a productive meeting with Prof. Kehinde Kanmodi,
Executive Director of Cephas Health Research Initiatives, Inc., Nigeria, one of Africa’s leading health research institutions.

Senior officials from both sides participated in the meeting, which focused on comprehensive discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of health research and capacity building. Key areas of collaboration included research fellowships, joint workshops, training programs, and institutional capacity development.

During the meeting, Prof. Dr. Iqbal Choudhary proposed various major joint initiatives, including collaborative programs on prevention of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), metabolic disorders, Joint initiatives focusing on HPV awareness and prevention.

Both sides also discussed healthcare collaboration and exchange programs for researchers and healthcare professionals. It was further proposed that COMSTECH’s distinguished scholars programs would be also part of these initiatives in Nigeria to support human resource development and research excellence in the health sector.

The Executive Director of Cephas Health Research Initiatives highly appreciated the role of COMSTECH in promoting science and health cooperation among developing countries and welcomed the initiatives proposed by Prof. Dr. Iqbal Choudhary. He expressed full agreement to proceed with the discussed collaborative activities.

The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to enhance scientific cooperation and jointly address pressing public health challenges through sustained partnership.

05/02/2026

OIC- COMSTECH Hosts Two-Day Lecture Series on Edible Oil Technologies.

OIC- COMSTECH successfully organized a two-day lecture series on “Recent Advances in the Industrial Extraction of Edible Oil and Processing Techniques” on 3rd–4th February 2026 at its Secretariat in Islamabad, in hybrid mode.

The lectures were delivered by distinguished scientists Prof. Dr. Syed Tufail Hussain Shah** — Former Director, National Centre of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry (NCEA), University of Sindh, and Fellow of Pakistan Academy of Sciences.
‍Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Kara_Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Selçuk University, Türkiye.

The sessions highlighted modern industrial methods of edible oil extraction advanced processing techniques quality control, and emerging research trends aimed at improving efficiency, safety, and sustainability in the edible oil industry.

The event received an excellent response, with around 80 participants attending online and 24 participants attending physically creating an interactive learning environment that connected researchers, students, and professionals.

The aim of the lecture series was to enhance knowledge sharing, promote scientific collaboration, and update participants on the latest technological advancements in edible oil extraction and processing.

At the end of the second day, certificates were distributed to the participants in recognition of their active involvement.