The 17th Eurasia Conference, chaired by renowned Pakistani scientist Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, concluded successfully in Manila, Philippines, from June 10-12, 2026. According to a spokesperson for the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at the University of Karachi, the landmark event brought together leading global minds to discuss innovative scientific solutions to future challenges through chemistry and interdisciplinary research.
Global Participation and Nobel Laureates
The prestigious event attracted approximately 2,000 scientists, researchers, innovators, policymakers, and academic leaders from across the world, including two Nobel Laureates. This made it one of the largest and most influential scientific forums held in the region. Participants represented leading universities, research institutions, academies of sciences, and technology organizations from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.
Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman's Opening Remarks
In his opening remarks, Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman emphasized the critical role of science and innovation in promoting sustainable development, economic growth, and global prosperity. He highlighted the importance of strengthening international scientific collaboration and investing in research-driven solutions to address pressing challenges related to healthcare, climate change, food security, energy, and emerging technologies.
“The advancement of science depends on international cooperation and the free exchange of knowledge. Conferences such as the Eurasia Conference provide invaluable opportunities for scientists and innovators to work together for the benefit of humanity,” Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman said, according to the ICCBS spokesperson.
Role as Chairman
As Chairman of the International Organizing Committee, Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman played a pivotal role in shaping the conference agenda and fostering dialogue among leading scientific minds from around the world. The 17th Eurasia Conference’s success reaffirms it as a leading international platform for scientific exchange and collaboration, highlighting the growing importance of global partnerships in addressing the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman's Accolades
Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman is Pakistan’s most decorated scientist, having received the country’s four highest civil awards: Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Hilal-i-Imtiaz, and Nishan-i-Imtiaz. Internationally, he has been honored with numerous prestigious distinctions, including Fellowship of the Royal Society (London), the UNESCO Science Prize, the TWAS Prize for Institution Building, and the Austrian Government’s high civil award.
In recognition of his outstanding scientific collaboration with China, he was also honored with the People’s Republic of China’s highest scientific distinction for foreign scientists—the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award—and was elected as an Academician (Foreign Member) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Several research centers in China, Malaysia, and Pakistan have been named in his honor, including the Academician Professor Atta-ur-Rahman One Belt and One Road TCM Research Center in Hunan, China, and the Atta-ur-Rahman Institute on Natural Product Discovery (AuRINS) in Malaysia.
