Amman, Oct. 6 (Petra) – Secretary-General of the Higher Council for
Science and Technology (HCST) Mashhour Rifai participated in the
first conference of the Arab Scientific Research Centers Network,
which formally launched the regional network to strengthen
cooperation among Arab research institutions.

The conference, organized by the Federation of Arab Scientific
Research Councils, was held at Egypt’s National Research Centre in
Cairo, in cooperation with the Egyptian Academy of Scientific
Research and Technology and the National Research Centre.

Representatives of more than 60 research centers from around 12 Arab
countries attended, alongside officials from research institutions,
researchers, and experts.

Discussions focused on the future of scientific research in the Arab
world, including research and innovation systems, artificial
intelligence applications, food and water security, energy, health,
and cooperation among Arab research institutions.

In remarks at the opening, Rifai outlined the HCST’s role in
coordinating scientific research in Jordan and linking research
activities to national priorities.

He said the HCST had completed a project identifying Jordan’s
scientific research priorities for 2026–2035, covering 15 sectors and
developed with the participation of more than 700 Jordanian experts
from universities and the public and private sectors.

Rifai also reviewed Jordan’s regional and international research
partnerships, including joint projects in artificial intelligence,
cybersecurity, health, and green technologies.

He said challenges facing the Arab region, including climate change,
economic pressures, and rapid technological developments, require
stronger cross-border research cooperation and joint scientific
projects.

Rifai welcomed the launch of the Arab Scientific Research Centers
Network, which the HCST had proposed during a previous session in
Baghdad, saying it could provide a framework for joint research
projects, expertise sharing, and cooperation on common regional
challenges.

//Petra// AO