THE map of the Globe has long been shaded into different hues since as long as the geographical blueprints of the world have existed for a number of documentary reasons. A prominent reason to shade different parts of the world differently has been to indicate the level of socio-economic progress of these countries and regions.
The concept of development may be evolutionary in nature depending on the resources, direction and circumstances, countries may move up and down the rungs of the constructs of development narrative, commonly known as ‘developed’, ‘developing’ and under-developed. Such movement would proverbially change the expanse of the hue attributed of each level of development on the map.
Perhaps the two broadest categories the world has been divided in recent decades are the Global South and the Global North, implying low and high levels of development, respectively. While no country on the planet can be dubbed as free of development issues in some form, these categories in a simplistic manner elude to the intensity and depth of some fundamental development issues, the understanding being that the North has better adapted to or transcended many of those issues to secure for them better quality of life and a more stable place in the comity of nations.
The development gap and divide between the two regional constructs have taken centre-stage in the discussions of global development for decades. A useful outcome of the evolutionary discussions has been the concept of South-South Cooperation, whereby the less fortunate nations of the world can come to their own rescue with pooled ideas and resources. This formed the premise of the Commission on Science and technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) an apex forum to bring together developing countries to find shared S&T-based solutions for common problems.
The organization is a fraternity of 27 countries in 3 continents; Africa, Asia, and Latin America, with presentation of 12, 13 and 2 countries, respectively. While these continents are home to different histories, ethnicities, cultures, and religions, they are joined together on the platform of COMSATS based on their realization of the importance of resource-sharing for S&T-led development. The highest level leadership of these countries is cognizant of the importance of the organization’s mandate and its crucial importance to their national development.
The Heads-of-State level highest statutory body of COMSATS currently has the able leadership of the President of Ghana, H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo. President Akufo-Addo is also a prominent figure in the region and is known for his vision and foresight on global issues and effective participation in international fora.
“The pivotal role science and technology play in development is well acknowledged. Together with innovation, they have become the new currency for development. Science and technology hold the key to finding sustainable economic, social and environmental solutions to the many problems that confront us. And these problems are shared – from Algeria to Zimbabwe, and from Benin to Tanzania, we face common problems”, remarked President AkufoAddo while hosting a breakfast meeting on the sidelines of the 2020 Summit of the African Union held in February a little before the COVID-19 pandemic took the world in its grips
The President passed on his cognizance of the importance of COMSATS’ mission to the leaders of the African world attending the Summit garnering their support towards the organization’s mandate and sensitizing the role that the organization can play in their development. Among the prominent figures attending the meeting were the President of Nigeria H.E Mohammad Buhari, Vice President of Gambia H.E Isaton Touray, Ministers and high officials from Nigeria, Ghana, and other member states of COMSATS. The delegation of COMSATS was led by the Executive Director, Dr. S. M. Junaid Zaidi and included Prof. Ashraf Shaalan (Egypt), Chairperson COMSATS Coordinating Council, and Prof. Dr. Orkun Hasekioglu, Advisor to President of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK).
The President of Ghana in his capacity as the Chairman of the Commission apprised the participating leaders and officials about the previous and ongoing as well as future activities of the Organization. The Chairperson was well-aware and appreciative that COMSATS is conscious of its role in helping mitigate some of these challenges in its member states. Within its mandate and structural framework, programmes and various initiatives have been tailored to narrow the development gap through different means. Substantial space has been provided in the Organization’s bodies to the African member countries to play a meaningful role and a leading part in steering research and development as well as capacity building, education and training, while also working on addressing these needs for the member states in other regions.
In its 26 years of overarching initiatives based on creative approaches, COMSATS has promoted capacity building, sharing of knowledge, experience and good practices, technological research outcomes and education, know-how and scientific resources. The organizational structures of COMSATS integrate both the levels of decision and policy makers and generating scientific resources in the centres of COMSATS’ Network. The Consultative Committee comprising ministers and senior officials work under the Commission represented by the top leadership of the member countries. Strategic and policy guidance is provided for COMSATS’ future work and direction by these bodies. The Network of the scientific Centres of Excellence together with the thematic groups contributes more substantively in executing various programmes.
A major challenge in harnessing inter-governmental cooperation of any kind, especially in S&T, is developing consensus in the top tiers of the government systems. It is no small feat and calls for able leadership. Fortunately for COMSATS, it is available to COMSATS through continuous support of the President of Ghana who has been an ardent advocate and supporter of development causes and campaigns not only in Ghana but regionally. Since 2017 when he first assumed the office of the President of Ghana, Akufo-Addo has provided effective leadership to the organization. With his current re-election, COMSATS stands to benefit greatly from the momentum it has achieved over the last few years under the patronage of the President of Ghana and his office.
—About the Author: Ms. Farhana Saleem is a veteran Science Communicator, and a senior team member and head of Communications and Publications at COMSATS Secretariat, Islamabad. With and academic background in Public Policy and English Literature, Ms. Saleem is passionate about science diplomacy and advocacy. She has a vast experience in S&T advocacy, writing, copy editing and journal management.
