RAWALPINDI: A three-day International Conference and Expo on Life Sciences 2026 opened at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, bringing together scientists, policymakers, academics, industry experts and international delegates to discuss climate resilience, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
The conference, titled ICELS 2026, is being organised by the university’s Faculty of Sciences in collaboration with Himalaya Hemp & Health (Pvt.) Ltd. and Evolution EduTech Pakistan. The event is themed “Bio-Innovations for a Changing Climate: Science, Sustainability and Solutions.”
Speakers at the inaugural session called for stronger scientific collaboration and interdisciplinary research to address Pakistan’s growing challenges linked to climate change, food security, water stress, public health and environmental degradation.
Prof Dr Khalid M. Khan, former vice chancellor of PMAS-AAUR and former president of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, attended the opening ceremony as chief guest. He said climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, glacier retreat and environmental degradation were among the defining challenges of the present era.
He said scientific innovation, evidence-based policymaking and interdisciplinary cooperation were essential for sustainable development and climate resilience.
Focus on climate-smart solutions
PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman said Pakistan needed climate-smart scientific solutions to respond to challenges in agriculture, water security and public health.
He appreciated the Faculty of Sciences and partner organisations for organising a scientific forum focused on issues of national and global importance.
In his welcome address, Prof Dr Rahmatullah Qureshi, Dean Faculty of Sciences and Chief Organizer of ICELS 2026, said universities had a key role in research, innovation and social progress.
He said climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, food insecurity and emerging diseases required urgent scientific responses and international cooperation.
International participation
Representing the U.S. State Department, Senior Facility Manager Kevin Sessink described ICELS 2026 as an important scientific platform. He said the conference could help strengthen global scientific cooperation and provide young researchers and students with international exposure.
The conference includes keynote lectures and technical sessions by speakers from Türkiye, Egypt, Morocco, Iran, Poland, Uzbekistan and Pakistan.
Organisers said ICELS 2026 aims to strengthen scientific networks, promote bio-based innovations and support practical policy solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
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