KARACHI: Renowned Pakistani scientist Atta-ur-Rahman chaired the International Organizing Committee of the 17th Eurasia Conference, held in Manila, Philippines, from June 10 to 12, 2026, bringing together nearly 2,000 scientists, researchers, innovators, policymakers, and academic leaders from around the world.
According to a spokesperson for the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, the conference served as a major international platform for discussing scientific innovations and research-driven solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The event attracted participants from leading universities, research institutions, academies of sciences, and technology organizations representing Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.
The conference also featured the participation of two Nobel Laureates, further enhancing its status as one of the most significant scientific gatherings in the region. Throughout the three-day event, experts exchanged ideas and explored new avenues of cooperation in chemistry, life sciences, advanced technologies, and interdisciplinary research.
In his keynote remarks, Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman emphasized that scientific research and innovation are essential for achieving sustainable development, economic growth, and social progress. He underscored the importance of strengthening international scientific partnerships and increasing investments in research to address global challenges, including healthcare, climate change, food security, energy sustainability, and emerging technologies.
“The advancement of science depends on international cooperation and the free exchange of knowledge. Conferences such as the Eurasia Conference provide invaluable opportunities for scientists and innovators to work together for the benefit of humanity,” he said.
As chairman of the International Organizing Committee, Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman played a central role in shaping the conference agenda, facilitating international collaboration, and encouraging dialogue among leading scientific minds. Organizers noted that the success of the conference reaffirmed its position as a premier forum for scientific exchange and highlighted the growing importance of global partnerships in addressing the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century.
Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman is widely recognized as Pakistan’s most decorated scientist. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has made significant contributions to science, technology, higher education, and research development in Pakistan and internationally. He is the recipient of Pakistan’s four highest civil awards—Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Hilal-i-Imtiaz, and Nishan-i-Imtiaz.
His international honors include Fellowship of the Royal Society, the UNESCO Science Prize, the TWAS Prize for Institution Building, and Austria’s prestigious civil award. In recognition of his scientific collaboration with China, he received the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award, the highest scientific honor bestowed by China on foreign scientists, and was elected a Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
His global impact is further reflected by the establishment of several research institutions named in his honor, including the Academician Professor Atta-ur-Rahman One Belt and One Road TCM Research Center in Hunan, China, and the Atta-ur-Rahman Institute on Natural Product Discovery (AuRINS) in Malaysia.
The successful conclusion of the 17th Eurasia Conference highlighted the critical role of international scientific cooperation in advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and developing solutions to global challenges facing humanity.
