Strengthen ties to combat infectious diseases: India to SCO nations

Conclave aims to set up a network of young talents and foster research collaboration among other things

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday appealed to the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to strengthen cooperation to combat infectious diseases and prevent epidemics. In light of COVID-19 disrupting world order, the Minister also appealed to scientists to find affordable healthcare solutions.

Addressing the inaugural session of the second SCO Young Scientists' Conclave (SCO YSC) organised by the Department of Science and Technology at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) here virtually, Singh also stressed upon finding solutions for common societal challenges.

"You're all aware that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative influence on people's lives, health and well being in all the countries across the world. The SCO members must strengthen cooperation in preventing and countering the threat of infectious disease to the threat of epidemics in the SEO space," Singh said. The role of innovators, young scientists and young scientists is critical in finding an affordable solution to combat epidemics, the Minister said.

"I have a special request particularly to the young scientists associated with the SCO that for the benefit of the world and for the welfare of the human being, you have to come forward and join hands for developing solutions," he said.

The SCO is an intergovernmental organisation, with Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and India as the member states.

This conclave aims to bring together innovative young minds from these member states to discuss scientific ideas under five umbrella themes: Agriculture and food processing; Environmental protection and natural resource management; Artificial Intelligence and big data research and application; Sustainable energy and energy storage; and Disease Biology and Healthcare, officials said.