Pakistan took another step toward strengthening science diplomacy and international scientific collaboration as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), in partnership with the OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), launched the first issue of the Journal of Science Communication and Diplomacy 2026 at a ceremony held in Islamabad.
The launch also marked the completion of two successful years of publication of the journal, which has become an important platform for promoting dialogue between diplomats, scientists, academics and policymakers on issues at the intersection of science, technology and international relations.
Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch attended the ceremony as the chief guest. The event brought together ambassadors, diplomats, scientists, academics, heads of national organizations, members of the journal’s editorial board, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and COMSTECH. Diplomats from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Tajikistan, Mauritius, Jordan and Azerbaijan, along with representatives from the ECO Science Foundation, the Higher Education Commission, the Pakistan Academy of Sciences and other leading scientific institutions, also participated.
Speaking on the occasion, COMSTECH Coordinator General Prof Dr Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary emphasized that science diplomacy has become one of the most effective tools for addressing global challenges through international cooperation, scientific knowledge and innovation.
He said the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), representing 57 member states, possesses immense scientific and intellectual potential that can be unlocked through stronger collaboration among universities, research institutions, governments and industry.
Prof. Choudhary noted that the Journal of Science Communication and Diplomacy has evolved into an important platform connecting diplomats, scientists, academics and policymakers to promote evidence-based policymaking and strengthen the relationship between science, technology and international relations across OIC member states.
Highlighting COMSTECH’s ongoing initiatives, he said the organization continues to promote scientific cooperation throughout the Muslim world through scholarships, fellowships, research partnerships, capacity-building programmes, academic mobility initiatives and science diplomacy efforts that support sustainable development across OIC countries.
Addressing the gathering, Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch stressed that today’s complex global challenges demand collective solutions and underscored the growing importance of science diplomacy in bridging the gap between scientific research and foreign policy.
She called for enhanced scientific cooperation within the OIC and greater participation of developing countries in shaping the governance of emerging technologies. She also appreciated the collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and COMSTECH in publishing the journal, describing it as an important contribution to strengthening science diplomacy.
The first issue of the journal for 2026 includes eleven articles, seven of which have been authored by diplomats from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reflecting the country’s expanding role in science diplomacy and international scientific cooperation.
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The Journal of Science Communication and Diplomacy serves as a dedicated platform for diplomats, scientists, academics and policy practitioners to exchange ideas, contribute to evidence-based policy discussions, and promote international scientific collaboration at a time when science and diplomacy are becoming increasingly interconnected.
