Pakistan Hosts 24th SCA Conference on Food Security, Sustainability and Biodiversity -

PAKISTAN

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS) and the Science Council of Asia (SCA) jointly organized the 24th SCA Conference at the PAS Secretariat, Islamabad, from 16 to 18 November 2025, on the theme “Food Security, Sustainability, and Biodiversity.” The conference was supported by the Science Council of Japan (SCJ).

The scientific program included technical sessions, poster presentations, a Young Researchers’ Session, and the Future Earth Symposium. A total of 145 physical and 48 online participants attended the event. International speakers and resource persons participated from Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

The Conference was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, FRS, former Coordinator General of COMSTECH. This was followed by welcome addresses from Prof. Dr. Kauser Abdulla Malik (President, Pakistan Academy of Sciences) and Prof. Dr. Mamoru Mitsuishi (President, Science Council of Japan). Prof. Dr. Muhammad Aslam Baig (President, Science Council of Asia, and Secretary General, PAS) highlighted the need and importance of hosting this conference in Pakistan.

During the three-day event, eminent local and foreign speakers delivered thought-provoking lectures on a broad range of topics aligned with the conference’s sub-themes. In total, 35 technical lectures, including 5 online, were presented by 20 local and 16 international experts. Additionally, 30 shortlisted posters were presented by young postgraduate researchers.

The Young Researchers’ Session emphasized the need to strengthen communication among early-career scientists to promote knowledge-sharing and collective growth through joint initiatives, exchange programs, and sustained cross-border engagement. In the Future Earth Symposium, Prof. Dr. Fumiko Kasuga, Director Future Earth Japan, along with other experts, shared insightful ideas on addressing global environmental challenges and expressed Future Earth Japan’s desire for closer collaboration with Pakistan.

Participants appreciated the timely organization of the conference, noting its relevance in the face of the growing impacts of climate change. They stated that the event holds significant value for academicians, scientists, technologists, researchers, environmentalists, agriculturists, and policymakers—particularly across Asia—for ensuring the health and safety of humanity and all living beings. – APP/ERMD

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