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Arab News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan joins ASEAN security talks in Kuala Lumpur amid Asia-Pacific tensions
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday to attend the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting focusing on political and security issues in the Asia-Pacific region, the foreign office said. Established in 1994, the ARF is a leading platform for multilateral dialogue on regional peace and security. It brings together 27 member countries, including ASEAN states, dialogue partners and other regional stakeholders. Pakistan joined the forum in 2004 and has since been an active participant in its initiatives. 'Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, has arrived in Kuala Lumpur to participate in the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting,' the foreign office said in a post on social media platform X. Dar will lead his country's delegation at the annual ministerial gathering, which is being attended by foreign ministers and senior representatives of ARF member states, alongside the ASEAN Secretary-General, according to a foreign office statement issued a day earlier. 'During his visit to Kuala Lumpur, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister will also meet with his Malaysian counterpart as well as other visiting foreign ministers and representatives,' the statement continued. 'He will also engage with the Pakistani community in Kuala Lumpur,' it added. The meeting is expected to discuss major security challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on promoting peace, stability and cooperation through dialogue.
Times of Oman
07-04-2025
- Health
- Times of Oman
Use of AI in pharmacy practices to be discussed at Muscat forum
Muscat: Oman International Pharmacy Congress and Exhibition (OIPCX) Regional Forum, organised by the Ministry of Health's Directorate General of Medical Supplies, kicked off on Monday. The event is held under the theme From Cost to Value Based Health Care 'Integrating Clinical Aduits and Pharmacoeconomics Evidence for Healthcare Optimisation'. The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Dr. Hilal Ali Al Sabti, Minister of Health. Pharmacist Ibrahim Nasser Al Rashdi, Director General of Medical Supplies and Congress Chair, highlighted in his speech the significance of the event being one of the most prominent scientific activities in the region. It brings together a group of experts and speakers from various fields, with the aim to develop the pharmacy profession and enhancing the exchange of experiences between countries in the region. Al Rashdi pointed out that the current edition of the congress has expanded its scope to include vital areas such as the use of artificial intelligence in pharmacy practices, the digital transformation of pharmaceutical care services, drug economics, health technology assessment, clinical auditing, clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutical education development, and enhancing drug safety, especially in critical cases, to ensure patient safety. He noted that one of the important areas of the forum is the exchange of experiences in the field of health economics. Arab and GCC experiences in building foundations and programmes for health economics were presented, including: the Sultanate of Oman's experience, represented by the Ministry of Health, in developing methodological guidelines for health technology assessment and the process of evaluating high-cost drug approval requests; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's experience in managing medications for rare diseases and implementing value-based healthcare; and Jordan's experience in Hospital-Based HTA Program in the King Hussein Cancer Center. At the end of the opening, the patron of the event took a tour of the exhibition that featured a showcase by global pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, alongside prominent pharmacies in the Sultanate of Oman. The exhibition also included leading companies from the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector. The three-day forum brings together over 600 healthcare professionals, with 46 esteemed international, Gulf, and local speakers. It will also feature 43 scientific papers, 13 of which are from Oman, exploring the latest advancements in pharmaceutical practices and drug research. Furthermore, the event includes five general workshops and four specialised workshops focusing on health economics, providing a comprehensive platform for knowledge sharing and professional development.
