Global scientific cooperation vital for climate resilience, sustainable development; experts at conference

RAWALPINDI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th May, 2026) Experts at a three-day international conference on life sciences stressed the need for global scientific cooperation, innovation and evidence-based policymaking to address climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable development challenges.

The conference and expo, organized by Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR), in collaboration with Himalaya Hemp and Health (Pvt) Ltd and Evolution Edutech Pakistan, commenced on Monday with participation of experts from several countries.

Former vice chancellor of the university and former president of Pakistan academy of Sciences Prof Dr Khalid Mehmood Khan was the chief guest at the opening session.

Addressing the ceremony, he described climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, glacier melting and environmental pollution as major global challenges, and called for interdisciplinary collaboration and science driven solutions.

Vice Chancellor PMAS AAUR Prof Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman said that the climate responsive scientific approaches were essential to tackle issues related to agriculture, water security and public health in Pakistan.

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Dean Faculty of Sciences and chief organizer of International Conference on Environmental & Life Sciences, ICELS -2026, Prof. Dr. Rahmatullah Qureshi highlighted that universities served as key centres of research, innovation and societal development, adding that global cooperation was vital to address emerging challenges.

A representative of the US State Department, senior facility manager Kevin Sesenek, termed the conference an important international platform promoting scientific collaboration and learning opportunities for young researchers.

Experts from Turkiye, Egypt, Morocco, Iran, Poland, Uzbekistan and Pakistan are participating in technical sessions, keynote addresses and research activities during the conference.

The organizers said the event aimed to strengthen scientific linkages, promote bio-based innovation and support policy development aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).