(Islamabad) Organization of the Islamic Conference Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) extended financial support for holding an international conference on bio-safety and bio-security.
The conference, a significant step towards promoting healthier and more secure communities in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) was arranged in Casablanca, the biggest city in Morocco from April 02-04, 2009. Regional leaders and international experts participated in the conference. COMSTECH was represented by its Advisor on Science, Dr. Anwar Nasim.
Recognizing the need to address the threat posed by pandemics, major biological incidents or accidents, some 100 participants from 37 countries agreed upon a plan of action for improving the region’s preparedness and ability to respond.
The conference titled “Bio-safety and Bio-security International Conference (BBIC-09) “was held with the theme “Healthier and More Secure Communities in the Middle East and North African Region”. It was co-hosted by the Moroccan Ministry of Education, Training and Scientific Research and the International Council for the Life Sciences (ICLS).
Her Royal Highness, Princess Sumaya bint el Hassan was also present in the conference in her role as President of the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan. She delivered an important speech on the need to protect and promote human dignity and security. In her speech, she offered Amman as the site for the next Bio-safety and Bio-security International Conference to be held in 2011.
The experts discussed the development of bio-safety and bio-security strategies in the MENA region, the creation of bio-safety and bio-security regional training centers, and the establishment of a regional bio-safety association.
Apart from financial support from COMSTECH, the conference was also funded by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi and the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan, the Kingdom of Morocco, the United Kingdom (UK), Alfred Sloan Foundation and the Robert & Ardis James Foundation of New York.
Reported by: Ameen Amjad
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