COMSTECH has stepped up efforts to transform scientific research, technological innovation and entrepreneurship into investment, jobs and sustainable economic growth by hosting the Global South Innovation & Investment Summit 2026 in Islamabad.
The summit brought together policymakers, investors, business leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, university representatives and technology experts from Pakistan, China and other parts of the Global South to explore new avenues for technology commercialization, research collaboration and cross-border investment.
Jointly organized by OIC-COMSTECH, Pathfinder CITADEL Pakistan and the Commercial Culture Association of China (CCAC), the event featured a 13-member Chinese business delegation and senior representatives from government, academia, industry and the startup ecosystem.
Federal Minister for Investment and Chairman of the Board of Investment Qaiser Sheikh attended the summit as chief guest and urged participants to move beyond discussions and translate innovation into tangible economic outcomes.
He said Pakistan must convert ideas into investment, proposals into joint ventures, innovation into production and international partnerships into exports and employment.
The minister highlighted advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, startups and university-industry collaboration as key areas for the next phase of Pakistan-China cooperation. He also appreciated COMSTECH and its partners for creating a platform connecting scientific innovation with investors and industry.
At the center of the summit was OIC-COMSTECH Coordinator General Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, who emphasized the enormous scientific, technological and entrepreneurial potential of the Global South.
Prof. Choudhary said countries of the Global South, including OIC member states, must move beyond being consumers of technologies developed elsewhere and develop indigenous solutions to address their own economic and development challenges.
He highlighted COMSTECH’s role as the OIC’s ministerial standing committee on science and technology in strengthening cooperation among its 57 member states through research fellowships, academic mobility, capacity-building programmes and international scientific partnerships.
Prof. Choudhary also highlighted COMSTECH initiatives including the COMSTECH AI Centre for Training and Research, COMSTECH-Huawei ICT Academy and Technovation Academy, along with programmes focused on environment, climate change and technological capacity building.
He stressed that scientific innovation can only generate lasting socio-economic impact when supported by strategic investment, technology transfer and strong partnerships between governments, universities, research institutions and industry.
Speaking for the Chinese delegation, CCAC Deputy Secretary General Li Ang praised COMSTECH for its vision and leadership in bringing together the scientific, business and investment communities.
He said the Chinese delegation had observed Pakistan’s growing innovation ecosystem, skilled youth, industrial potential and emerging investment opportunities. He reaffirmed China’s interest in expanding cooperation with Pakistan in science and technology, advanced manufacturing, industrial innovation, entrepreneurship and research.
Senior Honorary Advisor OIC-COMSTECH Dr. Shahid Mahmud emphasized the need for a sustainable innovation ecosystem that connects researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers across the Global South.
The summit featured discussions on artificial intelligence, technology commercialization, startup financing, clean technologies, industrial innovation, research collaboration and investment facilitation. Pakistani entrepreneurs, investors, chambers of commerce and Chinese business representatives also explored potential business partnerships and joint ventures.
The organizers said the summit reinforces COMSTECH’s growing role in advancing science diplomacy, technology commercialization and innovation-led development while creating stronger links between OIC member states and Global South partners.
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With its focus on connecting research with investment and industry, the summit marks another step by COMSTECH toward building an innovation ecosystem in which scientific knowledge can be transformed into technologies, businesses, employment opportunities and sustainable economic growth.
