TEHRAN, Sunday, May 18, 2025 (WNP): The second Ministerial Meeting of the OIC-15 Dialogue Platform commenced in Tehran on Sunday, placing artificial intelligence (AI) at the heart of a forward-looking strategy to elevate science, technology, and higher education across the Islamic world.

Held under the theme “Innovation in Science and Technology through using AI: A Strategy for Excellence, a Bright Future for the Islamic World,” the three-day gathering brings together science ministers, senior officials, and technology experts from leading Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states.

The conference seeks to strengthen regional cooperation through scientific diplomacy and dialogue, offering a platform to tackle shared challenges in technology, education, economic development, and innovation. One of the event’s most anticipated outcomes is the adoption of the first multilateral document on AI cooperation among OIC countries—an important step toward harmonizing strategies and policy frameworks for emerging technologies.

The opening day featured the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), co-chaired by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of OIC-COMSTECH, and Prof. Farhad Yazdandust, First Deputy Minister of Science, Research, and Technology of Iran and Head of the International Scientific Cooperation Centre. Delegations from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Iran, and the OIC General Secretariat were in attendance.

A high-level delegation from OIC-COMSTECH, led by Prof. Choudhary, is playing an active role in shaping the dialogue and advancing cooperative frameworks. As the host of the OIC-15 platform, COMSTECH continues to demonstrate its leadership in promoting scientific integration and innovation among Muslim nations.

The conference agenda includes bilateral meetings between science ministers and senior representatives, as well as an exhibition highlighting achievements of knowledge-based enterprises in the fields of AI, science, and technology.

Participants will also review the outcomes of the inaugural ministerial meeting held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and finalize the venue and schedule for the next ministerial session of the OIC-15 Dialogue Platform.

Launched by Kazakhstan in 2016 and officially endorsed during the 46th and 47th OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meetings in 2018 and 2019, the OIC-15 Dialogue Platform brings together technologically advanced OIC members—including Iran, Türkiye, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan. The initiative is designed to build scientific capacity, promote innovation, and address global challenges such as climate change, energy sustainability, and socioeconomic development.

With 57 member states spanning four continents, the OIC is the world’s second-largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations. Through initiatives like the OIC-15 Dialogue Platform, it continues to serve as a vital forum for multilateral cooperation in science and technology across the Muslim world.

As the Tehran meeting progresses, participating nations are expected to agree on concrete, actionable strategies to deepen AI integration and enhance scientific collaboration—paving the way for a more innovative and knowledge-driven future for OIC member states.