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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for COMSATS Secretariat
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DTSTART:20250101T000000
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250617
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250618
DTSTAMP:20261030T161227
CREATED:20250513T073309Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250616T065236Z
UID:18473-1750118400-1750204799@development.comsats.org
SUMMARY:Webinar ‘Towards Digital Transformation: Ensuring an Equitable and Inclusive Society’
DESCRIPTION:Date & Time: 17th June 2025; 09:00-12:00 hrs. (GMT) / 14:00-17:00 hrs. (Pakistan Time) \n[ Flyer ] [ Program ] [ Speakers Profiles ] [ Registration ] \nDigital connectivity is a cornerstone of economic growth and social empowerment. Emerging technologies\, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI)\, Internet of Things (IoT)\, 5G & Next-Gen Connectivity\, Blockchain\, Quantum Computing\, etc.\, offer groundbreaking solutions for socio-economic development. These modern day technologies and innovations have the potential to revolutionize connectivity\, transform essential services\, empower marginalized groups\, promote gender equality in digital transformation\, and accelerate sustainable development. \nAs we commemorate the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2025\, this webinar will explore how can we shape a future where technology and innovation serves everyone by bridging divides and unlocking human potential. \nAligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)\, particularly SDG 9 (Industry\, Innovation\, and Infrastructure)\, SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)\, the webinar aims to bring on board technologists\, innovators and policymakers\, with the following objectives: \n\nRaise awareness on the significance of Digital Transformation and its socio-economic impact on various sectors\, including education\, healthcare\, employment\, and governance.\nFacilitate knowledge-exchange and sharing of best practices\, case studies\, and innovative solutions for leveraging digital technologies to facilitate socio-economic development.\nDiscuss policy reforms to encourage innovation\nPromote multi-stakeholder collaboration to develop inclusive digital policies and infrastructure\n\nTopics/Themes for Expert Talks \n\nDigital Transformation: Challenges & Opportunities e-Governance\nAI-Powered Solutions for Education\, Healthcare\, and Agriculture\nIoT & Smart Technologies for Underserved Communities\n5G & Next-Gen Connectivity as a Catalyst for Digital Inclusion\nBlockchain for Financial & Social Inclusion\nCybersecurity and Data Privacy\n\nPanel Discussion: on topics consistent with the theme for WTISD 2025\, i.e. “Gender Equality in Digital Transformation”. \nExpected Participation: Representatives of academia & research organizations\, technology & industry leaders\, government & policy makers\, etc. \nRegistration for Online Participation: https://tinyurl.com/TDT17625 \nContact Person: \nMr. Irfan Hayee\nAdditional Director (Programmes)\, COMSATS Secretariat.\nEmail: irfan@comsats.org\nWhatsApp: +92-321-5384323
URL:https://development.comsats.org/event/webinar-titled-towards-digital-transformation-ensuring-an-equitable-and-inclusive-society/
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250617T090000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250620T170000
DTSTAMP:20261030T161227
CREATED:20250514T051258Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250514T051258Z
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SUMMARY:4th African Symposium on Big Data\, Analytics and Machine Intelligence\, and 18th TYAN International Thematic Virtual Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Flyer\nProgramme
URL:https://development.comsats.org/event/4th-african-symposium-on-big-data-analytics-and-machine-intelligence-and-18th-tyan-international-thematic-virtual-workshop/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250620T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250620T130000
DTSTAMP:20261030T161227
CREATED:20250610T162209Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250619T100907Z
UID:18630-1750413600-1750424400@development.comsats.org
SUMMARY:Seminar on Bridging the Climate-Adaptation Divide across the Food-Water-Agriculture Nexus
DESCRIPTION:[ Flyer ] [ Programme ] \nTo commemorate World Environment Day 2025\, a high-level seminar titled “Bridging the Climate-Adaptation Divide Across the Food-Water-Agriculture Nexus” is being organized on 20th June 2025. The event aims to raise awareness about the disproportionate climate impacts faced by the agriculture sector in the Global South\, with a particular focus on Pakistan. It will highlight the escalating threats of rising temperatures and water scarcity on crop productivity\, nutrition\, and the livelihoods of rural communities. The seminar will also serve as a platform to showcase innovative practices and policy solutions for climate-resilient agriculture\, while fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among national and international stakeholders. Ultimately\, the event seeks to strengthen collective efforts in supporting Pakistan’s food security goals and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. \nBACKGROUND AND RATIONALE \nThe Global South\, which is inhabited by almost 85% of the global population\, is suffering most from the worsening climate crisis. Nowhere is this more evident than in agriculture—increasingly vulnerable to temperature changes\, water shortages\, and weather-related disasters. In nations like Pakistan\, India\, Bangladesh\, Nigeria\, and Ethiopia\, the agricultural industry sustains millions of livelihoods but is being severely threatened by worsening climatic conditions. \nAccording to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (2023)\, agricultural productivity growth has slowed globally due to climate change\, with South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa experiencing some of the steepest declines. The FAO (2023) estimates that over 828 million people suffer from undernourishment globally\, with 70% of them residing in climate-vulnerable rural areas of the Global South. \nPakistan presents a critical case study. The 2022 Climate Risk Index ranked Pakistan as the most affected by extreme weather events globally—a reflection of its acute exposure to climate-induced shocks and their cascading effects on food security. Pakistan has been ranked by the Global Hunger Index 2024 at number 109 among 127 nations and has been classified as belonging to the “serious” hunger category. Though an agrarian economy with 37% of its workforce working in agriculture and having a 23% GDP contribution\, the industry is facing a crisis owing to extended droughts\, glacial melting\, monsoon pattern changes\, and record heatwaves. \nIn 2024\, Pakistan endured an unprecedented heatwave\, leading to significant yield losses in major crops such as wheat\, cotton\, and rice—triggering market disruptions\, price volatility\, and increased reliance on imports. Meanwhile\, the Indus River system\, Pakistan’s irrigation lifeline\, is facing extreme stress due to glacial melt and over-extraction. Groundwater in Punjab and Balochistan is being depleted by 1–2 meters every year\, with less than 50% water-use efficiency in conventional irrigation systems. \nWithout immediate adaptation\, climate change can decrease Pakistan’s agricultural productivity by 18–20% by 2050 (World Bank\, 2022)\, with disastrous effects on food security\, rural livelihoods\, and national economic stability. \nOBJECTIVES \n\nElucidate the multidimensional impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity and rural welfare\, with a contextual focus on Pakistan.\nAnalyze systemic vulnerabilities associated with extreme heat\, hydrological variability\, and declining irrigation efficiency.\nShowcase technologically appropriate and culturally contextualized adaptation strategies\, from indigenous ecological knowledge to advanced digital platforms.\nExamine structural and financial impediments to large-scale adoption of climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices.\nBuild linkages among national and international stakeholders and cross-sectoral partnerships to support Pakistan’s efforts to achieve national food security targets and NDC commitments\n\nEXPECTED OUTCOMES \n\nEnhanced stakeholder awareness on agriculture-climate nexus\nPolicy recommendations for integrating climate resilience in food systems\nKnowledge exchange and collaboration pathways across stakeholders\nMedia coverage to amplify awareness of food security challenges\nContribution to Pakistan’s climate diplomacy and adaptation planning\n\nKEY FOCUS AREAS \n\nClimatic Stressors and Agrarian Systemic Risk\n– Biophysical impacts of thermal anomalies\, cryospheric melt\, and disrupted precipitation patterns on crop viability and animal husbandry.\n– The degradation of the Indus River Basin and aquifer systems: implications for irrigation reliability and agricultural sustainability.\nSocioeconomic Vulnerability and Structural Inequities\n– Differential exposure of smallholder farmers\, gendered dimensions of food insecurity\, and nutrition-related vulnerabilities.\n– Systemic fragilities in agri-value chains and rural economies under cumulative climatic and market stresses.\nInnovation-Driven Adaptation and Knowledge Integration\n– Deployment of climate-resilient germplasm\, precision irrigation systems\, and drought/salinity-tolerant varietals.\n– Integration of indigenous agroecological practices with scientific innovation for synergistic adaptation.\n– Utilization of AI\, satellite-based analytics\, and digital extension services for anticipatory decision-making and risk reduction.\nCatalyzing Climate Finance and Enabling Mechanisms\n– Strategic alignment of public and private finance streams\, including GCF\, IFAD\, Islamic Development Bank\, and blended finance models.\n– Addressing institutional and policy bottlenecks inhibiting farmer-led sustainable transformation.\n– Development of bankable adaptation portfolios: inclusive of biofertilizers\, low-emission storage systems\, and community-managed seed banks.\n\nPARTNER ORGANIZATIONS \n\nCOMSATS – Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South\nMoCC&EC-Pakistan – Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination\, Pakistan\nUNEP-NAP Pakistan – United Nations Environment Programme – National Adaptation Plan Pakistan\nECOSF – Economic Cooperation Organization Science Foundation\nNDRMF – National Disaster Risk Management Fund (Pakistan)\nICARDA – International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas\nNDMA – National Disaster Management Authority (Pakistan)\nWHH – Welthungerhilfe\nFACE – Food Security and Agriculture Centre of Excellence\n\nCONTACT PERSONS \nDr. Huma Balouch\nDeputy Director (IPOs)\, COMSATS Secretariat\nMobile: 0334-5124614\nEmail: huma@comsats.org \nMr. Waseem Ahmed\nManager Training\nNational Institute of Disaster\nManagement (NIDM)\, Islamabad\nMobile: 0334-5927336\nEmail: mgr.training@ndma.gov.pk; waseemza@gmail.com
URL:https://development.comsats.org/event/seminar-on-bridging-the-climate-adaptation-divide-across-the-food-water-agriculture-nexus/
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