The Thirty-Third Session of The Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers

RESOLUTIONS ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

ADOPTED BY THE THIRTY-THIRD SESSION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE OF FOREIGN MINISTERS

(Session on Harmony of Rights, Freedoms and Justice)

BAKU, REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

23-25 JUMADUL AWWAL 1427H

19-21 JUNE 2006

Resolution No. 1/33-S&T on Science and Technology.

The Implementation of the Strategy for Developing Science and Technology in the Islamic Countries.
The Role of Science and Technology in the Socio-Economic Development of the Member States.
The Voluntary Establishment of National Funds for Development of Science and Technology in the OIC Member States.

Resolution No. 2/33-S&T on the Activities of the Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH).

Resolution No. 3/33-S&T on the Activities of the Islamic University of Technology (IUT), Dhaka.

Resolution No. 4/33-S&T on Environmental issues and the negative impact on the environment in Palestine and occupied Arab territories.

International Cooperation on Environment.
Israel Practices and their effects on the Environment in Palestine and the occupied Arab territories.
The Situation in the Regions of the Islamic World Affected by Environmental Disasters, in particular in the Basin of the Aral Sea and the Region of Semipalatinsk.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The Environment from an Islamic perspective.

Resolution No 5/33-S&T on Vision 1441 on Science and Technology

RESOLUTION NO.1/33-S&T

ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The Thirty-third Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session on Harmony of Rights, Freedom and Justice) held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan from 23 – 25 Jumadul Awwal 1427H (19-21 June, 2006),

A. The Implementation of the Strategy for Developing Science and Technology in the Islamic Countries,

Reaffirming previous Resolution NO.8/31-S&T in Istanbul, Republic of Turkey, from 14-16 June, 2004.

Taking note of Resolutions No.33/8-C (IS), and 48/9E(IS) on ratification of the Strategy for Developing Science and Technology in the Islamic Countries; and Resolution 8/30-ST on the implementation of this strategy,

Taking note of the OIC Ten-Year Programme of Action to meet the challenges facing the Muslim Ummah in the Twenty-first Century adopted by the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held in Makkah Al Mukarramah in December 2005.

1. Approves the Resolutions and recommendations of the Second meeting of ISESCO Consultative Council on the Implementation of the Strategy for the Development of Science and Technology in Islamic Countries,

2. Highly appreciates the successful efforts of ISESCO and COMSTECH in preparing the final document of the implementation mechanisms of the strategy for the development of science and technology in the Islamic Countries,

3. Invites the Islamic Development Bank to cooperate with the Consultative Council in financement of the scientific technological projects,

4. Urges the Member States to take the necessary organizational measures regarding implementation of the Strategy for the Development of Science and Technology in the Islamic countries, within the framework of their national policies,

5. Extends sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Great Socialist Peoples Libyan Arab Jamahiriya for hosting the 2^nd Conference of Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research (Tripoli, October 2003).

6. Extends sincere gratitude and appreciation to the State of Kuwait for kindly accepting to host the 3^rd Conference of Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research (Kuwait, 16-18 September 2006).

B. The Role of Science and Technology in the Socio-Economic Development of

the Member States.

Reaffirming previous Resolution NO.3/31-S&T in Istanbul, Republic of Turkey, from 14-16 June, 2004.

Taking into consideration the strategy for Science and Technology Developments in Islamic Countries and its implementation mechanisms as prepared by ISESCO in collaboration with COMSTECH and approved by the Ninth and Tenth Islamic Summit Conferences,

Considering the need to ensure an active coordination between the activities carried out by OIC Organs and institutions in the field of Science and Technology in the best interest of the Joint Islamic Action on the subject.

Recognizing that the control regimes in the field of science and technology would increase the gap between developing and the developed countries and also recognizing that transfer of science and technology for peaceful purposes to the developing of Islamic Countries would effectively promote North – South relations;

Bearing in mind the exclusive and discriminatory character of certain export control regimes which are in contravention with the legal obligations of the Nuclear States and advanced industrial nations to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Biological Weapons Convention and Chemical Weapons Convention,

Recognizing the vital role that science and technology can play in social and economic development and in facilitating efforts to eradicate poverty, achieve agricultural development and food security, promote health and fight diseases, improve education, protect environment, accelerate the pace of economic diversification and transformation and improve productivity and competitiveness.

Acknowledges the crucial catalyzing role of information and communication technologies in promoting and facilitating the achievements of all development goals and objectives in developing countries.

Recalling that benefits of the information technology revolution are today unevenly distributed between developed and developing countries.

1. Reaffirms that the exchange of science and technology for peaceful purpose should be made in the interest of mankind and should be aimed to strengthening the socio-economic development of the Islamic Countries.

2. Requests all advanced industrial states parties to international disarmament and non-proliferation treaties to review their existing national trade regulations and render them consistent with their obligations under those treaties by removing all restrictions beyond those established within the treaties.

3. Calls on the international community to promote the transfer of technologies on preferential terms, including new and emerging technologies, and to adopt policies and programmes with a view to assisting developing countries take advantage of technology in their pursuit of development, through inter-alia, technical cooperation and the building of scientific and technological capacity.

4. Stresses the necessity of strengthening and enhancing existing mechanisms and supporting initiatives for research and development, including through partnership and networking among various relevant actors and institutions in the OIC Member States.

5. Takes note with satisfaction for the large scale participation of the OIC Member States in the Third U.N. Conference on the Peaceful Exploitation and Utilization of the Extra-Atmospheric Space (UNISPACE) held from 19-30 July 1999 in Vienna to study the appropriate ways and means to promote an effective cooperation between the OIC Member States in the field of Space Science and Technologies for a sustainable development.

6. Thanks the Government of Malaysia for organizing the First Conference on Science and Technology: “Science and Technology for Industrial Development in Islamic Countries – Facing the Challenges of Globalization”, held on 7 – 10 October 2003 in Kuala Lumpur, and adopts the first declaration and resolutions of the Conference.

7. Express its utmost gratitude and appreciation to Islamic Republic of Pakistan for hosting the second OIC Task Force Meeting for Vision 1441 on 21-23 February 2006 in Islamabad and adopts the report and the recommendations of the Task Force.

C. The Voluntary Establishment of National Funds for development of Science and Technology in the OIC Member States.

Having considered the proposal of His Excellency President Pervez Musharraf, Chairman COMSTECH, to set up Pan Islamic Fund for the Development of Science and technology in the Islamic World:

Recalling resolution 15 of the COMSTECH General Assembly held during 16-18 February 2002 calling for the establishment of this fund;

Taking into account the Thirtieth ICFM and the Tenth Islamic Summit resolutions on the subjects related to Science and technology;

Having examined the COMSTECH document describing Pan Islamic Fund for the Development of Science and Technology in the Muslim World,

Prompted by strong desire to give a fresh impetus to the development of Science and Technology infrastructure in the OIC Member States;

Calls upon the OIC Member States to voluntarily establish major national funds in their respective countries for the following objectives;

1. To strengthen the national science and technology programmes in important fields.

2. To strengthen collaboration among Islamic Countries in various fields of Science and Technology including the establishment of Centers of Excellence in their respective countries in collaboration with COMSTECH.

3. Requests the Secretary General to take appropriate steps for the implementation of this recommendation and submit a report thereon to the 34^th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION NO. 2/33-S&T

ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COOPERATION

(COMSTECH)

Recalling resolution No.13/3-P (IS) of the Third Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah/Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 19-22 Rabi-ul-Awal, 1401H, corresponding to 25-28 January 1981, establishing a Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation and all subsequent resolutions of the Islamic Summit Conferences pertaining to COMSTECH;

Further recalling the resolution No.7/31-ST of the Thirty-First Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers and resolution No.7/10-ST(ST) of the Tenth session of the Islamic Summit conference held in Putrajaya, Malaysia from 20 to 21 Shaaban 1424H (16 to 17 October 2003),

Having considered the report of the Secretary General on the subject,

1. Notes with appreciation the ongoing programmes and activities of the COMSTECH for increasing the capability of OIC Member States in the fields of Science and Technology.

2. Appeals to Member States and institutions concerned to provide financial support for COMSTECH’s programmes and activities by prompt and generous voluntary contributions.

3. Encourages and supports the cooperation between the COMSTECH and the Islamic Development Bank for the promotion of Science and Technology in Member States.

4. Requests the Secretary General to take appropriate steps for the implementation of this recommendation and submit a report thereon to the 34^th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION NO. 3/33-S&T

ON ACTIVITIES OF THE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (IUT), DHAKA

Recalling the recommendations of the Thirty-first Meetings of the Governing Board of the University held in Dhaka, Bangladesh;

Having taken note of the activity report submitted by the Vice-Chancellor of the Islamic University of Technology (IUT);

1. Expresses deep gratitude to H.E. Begum Khaleda Zia, Honourable Prime Minister, Government of Bangladesh for kindly attending the 19th Convocation of IUT, inaugurating the 31^st meeting of the governing board and took note of the patronage advice and support of Bangladesh enabling the University to help develop the human resources of the member States.

2. Urges the University for continuing and enhancing its efforts through offering education and training of international standard playing a catalytic role in the development of human resources of the Member Countries;

3. Requests the Member States to utilize the services of the University by nominating students to the University for long regular courses and sending more in-service personal to participate in the short & special courses, seminars, workshops, etc. to upgrade and update knowledge and skill;

4. Appreciates the role of IUT in the fields of Engineering, Technology Technical and Technical Education;

5. Urges the University to intensify its endeavour offer courses in the fields of emerging and frontier technologies to equip the youth of the Ummah to face the challenges of the globalization and digital divide matching the of the Member Countries;

6. Urges the Member States, which have not done so thus far, to settle their regular mandatory contributions and arrears, to the budget of the IUT;

7. Appeals the affluent Member States to make voluntary contributions, in addition to mandatory ones, to help further deepen and widen its activities to as to achieve further heights of success in the days ahead and swerve the Ummah better;

8. Requests the Secretary General to take the necessary steps to implement threes recommendations and present a report thereon to the 34^th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION NO. 4/33-S&T

ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT IN PALESTINE AND OCCUPIED ARAB TERRITORIES

Reaffirming previous Resolutions NO. 1/31-S&T in Istanbul, Republic of Turkey from 14-16 June, 2004.

Guided by the teachings of Islam which enjoin the Muslim peoples to safeguard the bounties that Allah has granted them on Earth,

Referring to Agenda 21, World Summit on Sustainable Development, and the International Convention to Combat Desertification and drought,

Deeply concerned at the continuing deterioration of the global environment, including the worsening trends in environmental pollution and the degradation of natural resources;

Stressing again the right of all human beings to enjoy a healthy and non-polluted environment, as a basic human right;

Emphasizing the right of States to protect their environment from harmful activities, and to cooperate among them to that end;

Noting with satisfaction the development towards the finalization of the International Convention to Combat desertification and drought, and inviting the member States, which have not ratified all the relevant conventions, including the International Convention on Combating Desertification, to do so, as soon as possible;

Strongly condemning the attempts by some developed countries to export their hazardous and radioactive wastes for dumping in developing countries, and appealing to Member States to sign the Basel Convention on Dangerous wastes,

A. International Cooperation on Environment

Emphasizing the commitments of developed countries in transferring environmentally sound technologies, know-how and financing to developing countries in accordance with the provisions of chapter 34 of Agenda 21.

Strongly condemning the attempts by some developed countries to export their hazardous and radioactive wastes for dumping in developing countries,

1. Encourages Member States to continue to incorporate environmental considerations in their developmental policies and to mobilize available financial and institutional resources needed for implemental policies and to mobilize available financial and institutional resources needed for implementing national programs of environmental protection,

2. Urges Member States to cooperate and coordinate within the existing Desertification Regional Centers,

3. Also Urges the Member States which have not yet ratified all the UN International Agreements on the Environment including the International Convention on Desertification and Drought to do so as soon as possible so that the Convention can come into force,

4. Invites member States to exchange information and experience in various environmental field such as desertification, climate change and loss of biological diversity.

5. Calls on the international community, particularly relevant United Nations Organs, to concentrate attention on the rise in sea levels, and its socio-economic impacts,

6. Reaffirms the determination of the Member States to work for the strengthening of international cooperation in seeking solutions to global environmental problems and requests the donor countries and international financial institutions to extend further support to regional networks and national focal points in States stricken by desertification.

7. Requests Member States to promote coordination and cooperation among environment monitoring networks and remote-control sensing Centers and coastal control posts and all other environment protection organs in Islamic States.

8. Urges all member States to continue consultation and coordination among them at all international meetings including consultations relating to environment protection, especially in the field of biological diversity, climate change, desertification, hazardous and radioactive waste.

9. Rejects the imposition of obligations on developing countries to contain, the phenomenon of climate changes in addition to the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol of the UN convention on Climate Changes and calls on Member States to oppose this orientation wherever it deemed necessary.

10. Appeals to the parties to World War II to expeditiously provide Member States with information, data and maps on mines planted in their territories during the war and commit themselves to extend immediate aid and assistance required for the removal of these mines which still cause huge damage to human lives and obstruct development and construction in vital areas, while taking into consideration the decisions of the UN Conference on the Question of Mines which was held in Geneva in 1996.

11. Expresses solidarity with the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya concerning its position on the question of the mines fields left on in its territory by World War II, their grave effect on the environment and the accidents and grievous damage they cause to thousands of its citizens. Also appeals to Member States to stand in solidarity with the Jamahiriya in its efforts to overcome this problem and its right to demand compensation for the damage and that the countries responsible for the mine danger, finance mine-hunting operations and produce minefield maps to the Libyan authorities concerned.

Israel Practices and their effects on the Environment in Palestine and the occupied Arab territories,

Recalling previous OIC and other International Resolutions on this Subject;

Recalling also the UNEP GC decision (UNEP/GC.22/L.4) on environmental situation in occupied Palestine and Arab territories, and expressing deep concern over the continued degradation of the environmental conditions in the occupied Palestine;

Also recalling resolutions 56/204 of Fifty-Sixth Session of the General Assembly with respect to the environmental conditions in the Palestinian Arab Territories, and the Syrian Golan and Lebanese territories occupied by Israel;

Expressing deep concern over the escalating brutal and expansionist practices of the Israeli occupation authorities which include the construction of the Apartheid wall and settlement activities that led to the seizure of land and water-resources, the demolition of houses, the construction of new settlements in the occupied Palestinian and Arab Territories, especially in Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and the Syrian Golan, the uprooting of the trees, the destruction of crops, the cutting off of irrigation waters, the deforestation of wide expanses of land and the use of toxic gases with the attendant serious effects on the Palestinian and other Arab Inhabitants and the economic and social situation in those lands;

Expressing deep concern on the dumping by Israel of Highly toxic radioactive and chemical wastes in the Palestinian land as well as the Mediterranean Sea and particularly in the Palestinian and the Lebanese regional waters;

1. Condemns Israel’s continued occupation of the Arab Palestinian territories, the Syrian Golan, and parts of southern Lebanon, including the Shabaa Farms, as an obstacle to the sustainable development of the Arab citizens of the occupied Arab territories.

2. Urges UNEP to update its report on the environmental situation in Occupied Palestinian Territories and submit it to the GC for immediate reaction.

3. Requests the Member States to continue to extend help and assistance to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Syrian citizens in the Occupied Syrian Golan and the citizens in the Lebanese territories previously occupied, in drawing up the plans deemed necessary for environmental conservation within these territories and stresses the need to adopt concrete measures for consolidating such plans and taking steps to expose the policies pursued by Israeli occupation authorities which have led to ecological degradation in the occupied Palestinian territories, the occupied Syrian Golan and the previously occupied Lebanese territories.

4. Strongly condemns Israel’s persistence in changing the legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan and its practices aimed at changing its environmental conditions as well as its geographical, demographic and historical features and at imposing Israeli laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan.

5. Condemns Israel’s persistent defiance of the will of the international community by refusing to join the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) and to submit its nuclear facilities to the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as its implementation of nuclear programs bound to cause a serious hazard to the neighboring Islamic States. It also passionately appeals to the international parties and bodies concerned to take the necessary steps to put an end to such hazards while emphasizing the importance of cooperation among the Member States concerned in the field of monitoring radiation fallout in the area.

B. The Situation in Regions of the Islamic World Affected by Environmental Disasters, in particular in the Basin of the Aral Sea and the Region of Semipalatinsk.

Taking into consideration the loss of the second largest freshwater lake at the Aral Sea basin, and the dangerous consequences of continuous drying of the Aral Sea leading to a drastic change of climate in northern hemisphere especially in the Asian continent;

Noting that Semipalantisk nuclear site has witnessed nuclear tests on a large scale including high intensity tests on the surface which have been conducted during last forty years;

Proceeding from the fact that any ecological catastrophy irrespective of the nature of its origin touches the interests of all countries of the world community and from the responsibility of the Islamic Ummah for the future of the inhabitants of the Aral Sea region and Semipalatinsk nuclear test site zone and reaffirming the need to apply the principles of Islamic solidarity regarding these disasters,

Deeply concerned of the swift deterioration of the environment in the Semiplantisk nuclear test site zone,

Welcoming the efforts being made by the OIC and Government charity organizations of some Islamic Countries for financial support and humanitarian aid for the Aral Sea region.

Taking into consideration decisions of the World Summit on Sustainable Development as well as principles of the UN Millennium Declaration regarding solutions to environmental problems,

1. Supports the efforts aimed at the rehabilitation of the Aral Sea and the ground of Semiplantinsk nuclear site which are undertaken by the Government of Kazakhstan as well as regional, international and charity organizations.

2. Appeals to Member States and also to the international community to provide political, economic and financial support aimed at limitation of the impact of destructive consequences of the said catastrophes and at preventing further spreading of these ecological problems, and requests the Islamic Development Bank and charity foundations of the Muslim Countries to explore ways and means to evolve programme providing support to the regions of the Aral Sea and Semipalatinsk coordinated with existing international, regional and national programmes.

3. Requests the Islamic Development Bank and charity foundations of the Muslim countries to explore ways and means to evolve a programme providing support to the regions of the Aral Sea and Semipalatinsk in coordination with existing international, regional and national programmes.

C. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Taking note of the surprising and preoccupying decision of the United States of America as to leaving the Kyoto Protocol on Climatic Changes after having signed it;

Expresses its deep concern for the questioning by the United States of America of the utility of the Kyoto Protocol for the protection of the environment against the detrimental green house effects.

Expressing its concern for the deterioration of the world environment including increasing environmental pollution and the depletion of natural resources;

Reaffirming the right of every individual to enjoy a healthy unpolluted environment;

Referring to the 1992 Agreement on Climatic Change adopted in New York and the 1998 Kyoto Protocol adopted in Japan;

1. Urges industrial countries to honour their obligations under the convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol.

2. Emphasizes the importance of effective participation of Islamic States in conferences and meetings related to the convention on Climate Change with delegations comprising specialists in all areas relevant to such conference.

3. Emphasizes the need to reiterate the demand for unanimity in adopting fundamental matters.

4. Emphasizes that the Conference of Parties to the Kyoto Protocol should monitor the implementation by the industrial countries of these measures through an annual review of their national reports, which must cover progress made on the application of the above-mentioned points as per Article 7 of the Kyoto Protocol on reports and Article 8 on Report Reviews.

5. Emphasizes the need not to subject developing countries to new obligations related to limiting their emission, whether on a mandatory or voluntary basis and not to determine a time schedule for any negotiations relating such obligations.

6. Supports the demands related to providing financial and technical assistance to developing countries and creating distinct funds for the purpose, in addition to existing financial means. It calls for a commitment from industrial countries to allocate specific financial sums to these funds on a regular basis.

7. Calls for the implementation of all the items in the 1998 Buenos Aires Plan of Action through effective, mandatory measures attached to each item.

D. The Environment From An Islamic Perspective

Recalling the decision of the First International Forum on the Environment From an Islamic Perspective held in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 23-25 October 2000, and the Jeddah Declaration on the Environment from an Islamic Perspective adopted by the forum.

Recalling the Islamic Declaration on Sustainable Development issued by the First Islamic Conference on Environment,

1. Express its appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its kind offer to host the Second Islamic Conference of Ministers of Environment, from 10-12 September, 2006 and mandates ISESCO to hold the Conference in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the OIC.

2. Requests the Secretary General to take appropriate steps for the implementation of this recommendation and submit a report thereon to the 34^th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION NO. 5/33-S&T

ON VISION 1441 ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Recalling the First OIC Conference on Science and Technology, “Science and Technology for Industrial Development in Islamic Countries - Facing the Challenges of Globalization”, held on 7-10 October 2003 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and its declaration and resolutions of the Conference, also referred to as Vision 1441 – a vision for the Muslim world to rededicate themselves to mastering S&T to face the challenges of the new global economy that was adopted by the Tenth Islamic Summit Conference held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 16-18 October 2003.

Welcome the efforts made by the OIC General Secretariat to establish an OIC Task Force for Vision 1441 as an initiative to implement the recommendation of Vision 1441.

Recalling resolutions No.3/31-S&T and 1/32-S&T of the Thirty-First and Thirty-Second of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held in Turkey and Yemen in 2004 and 2005, respectively.

Recognizing the role of Science and Technology for the advancement of the Ummah and the need to bridge the gap within OIC Member States and between Muslim and industrialized countries.

Welcoming the adoption of the OIC Ten-Year Programme of Action to meet the challenges facing the Muslim Ummah in the 21^st Century.

Take note that OIC Task Force for Vision 1441 members are from relevant OIC Institutions and have met twice.

1. Call upon Member States and all Institutions of the OIC to give full support for the implementation of the Vision 1441.

2. Requests the Task Force to expedite the preparation of the Strategic Plan of Action to implement Vision 1441 with technical and financial assistance from Islamic Development Bank and other sources.

3. Approves the launching of the Strategic Plan of Action to implement the Vision 1441 once finalized and endorsed by Secretary General before the commencement of the 34^th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.