Script of Speech by H.E. Mr. Shahzad Gul Aryobee at First OIC Summit on Science and Technology Astana

Bismillahi-r-Rahmani-r-Rahim!

Mr. Chairman,
Dear brothers and sisters,

It is an honor for me to pay my first trip abroad as the Acting Minister of Communications and IT of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Republic of Kazakhstan and take part at this very important summit of the Organization of Islamic Countries on Science and Technology.

I would like to thank the President of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev for initiating the organization of this summit, which comes at a very important historic timing for the Muslim Ummah.

I would also like to thank the Organization of Islamic Countries and the Secretary General H.E. Mr. Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen for exercising leadership in organizing this important event.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

In today’s world, technology is omnipresent and is playing a vital role in every part of our lives. It has been an influential factor in enabling countries to achieve socio-economic growth, thus pushing governments to invest and facilitate the adoption of new trends in their agendas and policies. It is transforming completely the way businesses, medicine, education and communications are being conducted.

We all know that technology is advancing through science and these two notions are inseparably linked. Science has enabled the humanity to cure diseases, reach far destinations and prosper. It has also been in the core of our faith, as the Prophet s.a.s encouraged everyone to study science from cradle to grave and pursue learning wherever it is available. Our Ummah has been in the forefront of the scientific progress of the Medieval Ages. Algebra, Astronomy, Geometry and Medicine used to be far advanced in our parts of the world, than elsewhere.

In modern times, however, we believe that our countries can do much better than the setting we currently find ourselves in. To advance human progress and find cures to diseases like cancer, diabetes and HIV will only be achieved through science. In the new world, where scientific discoveries can only be achieved through increased focus on research and development, we, as Islamic Community have a unique opportunity to make it happen. If every one of our countries commits to research and development and encourage our youths to learn, share their knowledge and innovate, we would improve our livelihoods, and be in the forefront of the global innovation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Afghanistan has suffered and is currently suffering from extremism and terrorism. Instability and wars prevented us from tapping into the human potential and the rich natural resources of our country. Having said that, we realize, education is key in combating the menaces that we have been facing for long time. In order to make that happen, Afghanistan has been trying to increase access of young children to education.

We have made a long journey in advancing science and technology since 2011, by bringing 90% of the country under the coverage of the GSM and mobile services. Almost 80% of the population is using mobile phone services. Internet penetration has increased from 1% to over 10%. Internet prices, which were almost 3.000 USD per Mega Bit has been reduced to almost 60 USD per mega bit. Our objective is to increase connectivity within Afghanistan and bring internet prices as low as possible, so that our people can gain access to digital world, and thus to knowledge, education and science. We also understand that cyber security is important matter that needs to be tackled and in this regard the efforts to consolidate OIC countries potential is highly welcomed.

We believe that the technology can be a great asset in establishing e-government across the country. With the help of the Government of Azerbaijan, we are creating a new government entity called “Asan Khedmat”, which is going to revolutionize the delivery of public services to our citizens, through technology and innovation. “Asan Khedmat” is a one-stop shop, where everyone will be able to received government services like passports, ID card, driver licenses, birth and marriage certificates as well as banking, notary and translation services under one roof.

These changes and innovations can bring positive changes across all our countries, making our people believe in their governments and help our societies to be in the forefront of the technological developments, becoming champions of scientific breakthroughs.

Innovation and advancing science and technology must be our shared goal. To achieve this, it would be worthwhile to consider a call on each of our countries to spend at least 2% of their GDPs for Research and Development, by the year 2026.

This will help us to create a world-class education systems and encourage tens of millions in our countries to pursue studying science and work for the progress of their communities. This would give unlimited opportunities to our children and youths which they deserve to get from us. And this would put Islamic countries back on the map of the scientific breakthroughs and new discoveries.

Having said all that, let me say that, Afghanistan supports the OIC STI Agenda for 2026 and recommendations to achieve the goals put therein.

Thank you very much, Mr Chairman!