Cairo:Secretary-General of the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), Mashhour Rifai, participated in the inaugural conference of the Arab Scientific Research Centers Network, marking the formal launch of this regional initiative to enhance collaboration among Arab research institutions.
According to Jordan News Agency, the conference was organized by the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils and held at Egypt's National Research Centre in Cairo. It was conducted in cooperation with the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research and Technology and the National Research Centre.
The event saw participation from representatives of more than 60 research centers across approximately 12 Arab countries, as well as officials from various research institutions, researchers, and experts. The discussions concentrated on the future of scientific research in the Arab world, addressing topics such as research and innovation systems, artificial intelligence applications, food and water security, energy, and health, along with fostering cooperation among Arab research institutions.
In his opening remarks, Rifai highlighted the HCST's role in coordinating scientific research in Jordan and its efforts to link research activities to national priorities. He noted that the HCST had completed a project to identify Jordan's scientific research priorities for the period 2026-2035, encompassing 15 sectors and involving more than 700 Jordanian experts from universities and both the public and private sectors.
Rifai also reviewed Jordan's regional and international research partnerships, including joint projects in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, health, and green technologies. He emphasized that challenges like climate change, economic pressures, and rapid technological advancements necessitate stronger cross-border research cooperation and joint scientific projects.
Rifai welcomed the establishment of the Arab Scientific Research Centers Network, a proposal initially made by the HCST during a prior session in Baghdad. He expressed optimism that the network could facilitate joint research projects, expertise sharing, and cooperation on common regional challenges.