The International Conference & Expo on Life Sciences (ICELS 2026) opened at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi as a three-day forum hosted by the Faculty of Sciences in partnership with Himalaya Hemp & Health (Pvt.) Ltd. and Evolution EduTech Pakistan, bringing together national and international scientists, policymakers, academicians and industry experts under the theme “Bio-Innovations for a Changing Climate: Science, Sustainability and Solutions”.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony as Chief Guest, Prof. Dr. Khalid M. Khan (S.I.) described climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, glacier retreat and environmental degradation as defining challenges of our time and stressed that scientific innovation, evidence-based policymaking and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential to build climate resilience across Pakistan.
Vice Chancellor PMAS-AAUR Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman underlined the need for climate-smart scientific solutions to tackle Pakistan’s growing pressures on agriculture, water security and public health, and commended the Faculty of Sciences and partner organisations for convening a globally relevant scientific platform that addresses these priorities.
In his welcome remarks, Prof. Dr. Rahmatullah Qureshi, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences and chief organiser of ICELS 2026, highlighted the transformative role of universities as engines of research and societal progress, noting that interdisciplinary approaches and strong international research partnerships are critical to confront emerging diseases, environmental degradation and food insecurity.
Representing the U.S. State Department, Mr. Kevin Sessink praised ICELS 2026 as an important venue for strengthening scientific cooperation and creating international exposure and opportunities for young Pakistani researchers and students through cross-border engagement and technical exchange.
The conference programme features keynote lectures and technical sessions with distinguished speakers from Türkiye, Egypt, Morocco, Iran, Poland, Uzbekistan and Pakistan, aiming to strengthen scientific networks, promote bio-based innovations and inform practical policy solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. ICELS 2026 seeks to translate scientific dialogue into actionable strategies that advance climate resilience and biodiversity conservation in Pakistan and the wider region.
