WASHINGTON: In a significant development, Pakistan and the US on Wednesday extended the agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation for another five years.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Ambassador, Masood Khan, and the Director Office of Science and Technology Cooperation in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs at the US Department of State, Jason Donovan, witnessed the signing ceremony.
Muhammad Saad Ahmed, on behalf of the government of Pakistan, and Michelle Sheckells from the US State Department exchanged the documents.
The purposes of the deal are to strengthen the scientific, engineering, and technological capabilities of the parties, to broaden and expand ties between the scientific and technological communities of both nations and to promote scientific and technological cooperation for peaceful purposes.
As per the agreement, the two sides will cooperate through the exchange of scientists and technical experts, exchange of scientific and technical information, convening of joint seminars and meetings, training of technical experts and scientists, the conduct of joint research projects, educational exchanges related to engineering, science, and technology; establishment of science-based public-private partnerships; as well as other forms of scientific and technological cooperation.
In a significant development, Pakistan & the United States today extended the Agreement on Science & Technology Cooperation between the two countries for another 5 years till October 2028. 🇵🇰🇺🇸 #PAKUSRelations 1/4 pic.twitter.com/AFZALq7KQI
— Pakistan Embassy US (@PakinUSA) October 17, 2023
Ambassador Masood Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, & Jason Donovan, Director Office of Science & Technology Cooperation in Bureau of Oceans & International Environmental & Scientific Affairs (OES/STC), US Department of State, witnessed the ceremony. 🇵🇰🇺🇸 4/4 pic.twitter.com/URlDpFh5vs
— Pakistan Embassy US (@PakinUSA) October 17, 2023
Significance of Agreement for Pakistan
The agreement was initially signed on 25 June 2003 and has been extended after every five years since then.
Welcoming the extension of the agreement, Ambassador Masood Khan said that it would serve as a framework for promoting cooperation between engineers, scientists, and technology experts of the two nations to address challenges pertaining to energy, climate change, agriculture, and IT.
He expressed hope that a collaborative environment in science and technology would pave the way for a comprehensive dialogue between the two nations to forge a strong partnership in science and technology.
