The 2nd Summit on Science and Technology of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was held on June 16, with Cameroon serving as the vice-president of the meeting. The summit, which was conducted via videoconference, brought together representatives from member countries to discuss the theme "Science, Technology, and Innovation: Opening New Horizons."
Cameroon's Minister of External Relations, Lejeune Mbella Mbella, represented President Paul Biya at the summit. In his opening speech, Mbella Mbella highlighted the importance of cooperation among OIC member countries in the field of science, technology, and innovation (STI). He emphasized that such cooperation would accelerate the appropriation and improvement of research for the benefit of member states.
Mbella Mbella proposed that more advanced countries in science, technology, and innovation should accompany other countries in a mutually beneficial cooperation. This cooperation, he said, should lead to satisfactory progress in all domains and notable economic development in member countries. He also stressed that intra-OCI cooperation could encourage research in STI areas, enabling countries in Africa, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa, to catch up and benefit from the resulting advantages.
The Minister of External Relations noted that the current COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need for OIC cooperation in STI research. He suggested that this cooperation should focus on research aimed at addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic and other pressing global issues. Mbella Mbella's proposals were well-received by the summit participants, who acknowledged the significance of STI cooperation in promoting sustainable development.
The OIC summit provided a platform for member countries to share their experiences, expertise, and best practices in STI. The meeting also offered an opportunity for countries to identify areas of collaboration and explore new avenues for cooperation. Cameroon, as the vice-president of the summit, played a key role in shaping the discussions and outcomes of the meeting.
The summit's theme, "Science, Technology, and Innovation: Opening New Horizons," reflects the OIC's commitment to harnessing the potential of STI to drive sustainable development and address global challenges. The meeting demonstrated the organization's recognition of the critical role that STI plays in promoting economic growth, improving living standards, and enhancing the quality of life for citizens.
The proposals and discussions at the OIC summit are expected to contribute to the development of a comprehensive strategy for STI cooperation among member countries. The implementation of this strategy is likely to have a positive impact on the economic and social development of OIC member countries, including Cameroon.
Key points
- Cameroon proposes cooperation on science, technology, and innovation to accelerate research and development in African countries.
