Turkey calls on Muslims to cooperate in science, tech

By Mehtap Yilmaz

ANKARA (AA) - As Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held its first summit on science and technology Sunday, a Turkish minister called on Muslim countries to further cooperate in the field.

The summit was held in Kazakh capital Astana, which continues Monday.

The OIC summit adopted "Astana Declaration", which the Turkish Science, Industry and Technology Minister Faruk Ozlu said gave priority to science and technology.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Ozlu said the declaration was “significant” as it urged the OIC member states to increase sci-tech investments.

Referring to "OIC Science, Technology and Innovation Agenda 2026", Ozlu said: "We [Turkey] have already set goals for 2023 [which marks the centenary of the Republic of Turkey]. Our efforts in fields of science and technology will help us achieve the OIC goals.

"We, as Turkey, are ready for any kind of cooperation with Islamic countries."

The agenda, discussed and adopted by the OIC member states, presents a holistic view of emerging science and technology, and its social and economic spin-offs.

The minister pointed out that the gap between the developed countries and the Muslim countries on technology was increasing.

"In order to narrow the gap, we should focus more on entrepreneurship, innovation and exploration in education," he added.

Criticizing the current education systems in Muslims countries, Ozlu said that the budgets allocated for education should be increased.

At the summit, OIC countries' leaders agreed that the Muslim states must prioritize education, science and technology, especially the fight against extremism and terrorism.