Pakistan and the United States have signed a five-year extension of the U.S.–Pakistan Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement. This agreement is the commitment of both nations to foster and expand relations between their respective scientific and technological communities.
The core objective of this renewed consensus is to promote scientific and technological cooperation for peaceful purposes. It underlines the significance of international collaboration in driving progress and advancing the goals of science and technology in a constructive manner.
The signing ceremony for this extension was attended by prominent representatives from both countries. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Masood Khan, and Jason Donovan, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Cooperation in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES/STC) at the U.S. Department of State, were present to witness this significant event.
Muhammad Saad Ahmed, representing the Government of Pakistan, and Michelle Sheckells, representing the U.S. State Department, exchanged the relevant documents, formalizing the extension of this important agreement.
Under the terms of this agreement, both nations commit to fostering cooperation through a range of initiatives, including:
- Exchange of scientific and technical information.
- Exchange of scientists and technical experts.
- Organization of joint seminars and meetings.
- Training of scientists and technical experts.
- Conduct of joint research projects.
- Educational exchanges related to science, technology, and engineering.
- Establishment of science-based public-private partnerships.
- Other forms of scientific and technological cooperation.
The original agreement, initially signed on June 25, 2003, has seen periodic extensions every five years. This ongoing commitment underscores the enduring nature of the collaboration between Pakistan and the United States in the fields of science and technology.
International scientific and technological cooperation plays a pivotal role in addressing global challenges, fostering innovation, and promoting peaceful applications of technology. The extension of this agreement demonstrates both countries’ dedication to working together to advance knowledge and make valuable contributions to the global scientific community.
As the world faces an array of complex scientific and technological challenges, such cooperative agreements serve as a beacon of hope, reflecting a shared vision of progress through knowledge-sharing and collaborative research. The renewal of this agreement signifies a continued commitment to harnessing the power of science and technology for the betterment of society and the world at large.
