H.E. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Jam Kamal KHAN, Federal Minister of Commerce of Pakistan, on the margins of the 42^nd Ministerial Session of COMCEC in Istanbul, Türkiye.

During the meeting, H.E. SELÇUK briefed the Minister on SESRIC’s mandate and activities in the fields of statistics, research and capacity building. Both sides exchanged views on the role of statistical data in supporting evidence-based policymaking, the opportunities and challenges arising from artificial intelligence (AI), and the implications of technological transformation for employment and labour markets across OIC Member Countries.

Discussions also centred on enhancing cooperation in trade and services statistics, exploring avenues for strengthening economic cooperation among OIC Member Countries, and promoting diaspora engagement. In this regard, H.E. SELÇUK highlighted the outcomes of the 1^st Muslim Diaspora Forum and expressed SESRIC’s interest in maintaining and further advancing cooperation with Pakistan on future initiatives in this area.

Both sides emphasised the importance of knowledge-sharing, statistical cooperation and capacity-building initiatives in fostering evidence-based decision-making and promoting sustainable economic development across OIC Member Countries.