ANSO–COMSATS International Conference on AI-Enabled Solutions for Water Inaugurated
ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - September 24, 2026) Islamabad hosted the opening of a four-day international conference on Wednesday focused on leveraging artificial intelligence to tackle growing challenges in water governance, security, and safety, gathering scientists, researchers, and experts from Pakistan and several other nations.
ANSO–COMSATS Conference on AI Solutions for Sustainable Water Management
This event, organized by the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) under the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions (ANSO), is part of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD) 2024–2033, led by UNESCO.
Rana Ahmad Atteeq Anwer, Coordinator to the Prime Minister for Science and Technology, Information Technology, and Telecommunication, served as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony, emphasizing the escalating pressures on water systems due to climate change, rapid urbanization, industrial expansion, population growth, and pollution. He drew attention to Pakistan's devastating floods in 2022, noting that many developing countries also face prolonged droughts, groundwater depletion, and declining water quality.
Mr. Anwer outlined the government's water-security agenda, including implementing the National Water Policy, water harvesting, and other sustainable measures, while stressing the necessity of a unified national approach.
Keynote Speakers and Themes
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Executive Director COMSATS, Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, highlighted the conference's strategic importance in light of global water challenges, underscoring artificial intelligence's potential as a transformative tool that directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 6 concerning clean water and sanitation.
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Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar, Rector of COMSATS University Islamabad, discussed the significance of emerging technologies such as AI and cloud computing, advocating for an ethics-based approach while emphasizing ongoing human involvement in AI solutions. He also mentioned the university's digitalization and paperless-office initiatives aimed at resource conservation and environmental protection.
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Dr. Zhijun Yi, Deputy Executive Director of ANSO, reaffirmed the organization's commitment to international scientific collaboration, joint research, capacity building, and knowledge exchange for sustainable development.
Conference Activities
The conference features:
- Technical presentations
- Hands-on training on AI tools
- Panel discussions
- Technical visits
Collaborating organizations include the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China; National Research Centre, Egypt; and other esteemed institutions.