Mauritania is an Islamic country located in northwestern Africa, sharing a border with Morocco. Although it appears to be a quiet and remote nation on the world map, it occupies a unique position due to its strong Islamic identity, rich scholarly heritage, political stability, and commitment to international cooperation. I had the opportunity to visit Nouakchott Recently the capital of Mauritania, to participate in an international conference on the healthcare sector organized by the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT). The conference brought together Ministers, healthcare experts, business leaders, and representatives of international organizations from member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The Guest of Honor was Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Health, Mustafa Kamal, had been invited to attend the conference but was unable to participate due to last-minute official commitments. As the Hon. Consul General of Morocco and Chairman of the Pakistan-Morocco Business Council, I was also invited by ICDT and the Govt. of Mauritania. The conference primarily focused on promoting investment, advanced technologies, pharmaceutical development, medical research, and collaboration among Islamic countries in the healthcare sector.
Upon arriving in Mauritania, what impressed me most was the simplicity, hospitality, and deep commitment of its people to Islamic values. Arabic is the country’s official language, while French is also widely spoken. Although Nouakchott is gradually embracing modern urban development, its simplicity and natural surroundings distinguish it from many other African capitals. Although Pakistan does not have an embassy in Mauritania, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Morocco, Adil Gilani, is also accredited to Mauritania. I was pleased to learn that more than 500 Pakistanis are engaged in business and employment opportunities in Mauritania. During the opening session, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom, ICDT Director General Latifa El Bouabdellaoui, Mauritania’s Minister of Health Thiam Tidjani, and other speakers emphasized the need for the Islamic world to reduce its dependence on external sources in the healthcare sector by strengthening its own capabilities. The COVID-19 pandemic clearly demonstrated the importance of achieving self-reliance in vaccines, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and research facilities. Consequently, greater investment, collaborative research, and technology transfer among Islamic countries were identified as key priorities for the future.
I also participated in one of the conference sessions alongside the Ministers of Health from Mauritania, Ethiopia, and The Gambia, as well as senior WHO officials. During the discussion, participants stressed the importance of expanding healthcare cooperation and investment among Islamic countries. On this occasion, I conveyed a message from Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Health, Mustafa Kamal, to the participants. I informed the delegates that Pakistan not only manufactures most of the medicines required for domestic consumption but also exports pharmaceuticals to international markets. I highlighted Africa as a region with significant potential for Pakistani pharmaceutical exports and encouraged the delegates to visit Pakistan and strengthen cooperation with the country’s pharmaceutical industry. During the conference, I had meetings with the WHO Director-General, which developed into warm and friendly discussions. He appreciated the mediation efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir during the U.S.-Iran conflict and stated that he intends to visit Pakistan in the near future.
From Pakistan’s perspective, the conference carried several important messages. Pakistan possesses considerable expertise in pharmaceuticals, medical education, surgery, nursing, and healthcare workforce development. By connecting these strengths with trade and research partnerships across the Islamic world, Pakistan can not only increase its exports but also attract new investment and create employment opportunities in the healthcare sector. This visit to Mauritania was particularly significant because Africa is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s most promising regions for economic growth and investment. African countries are making substantial progress in healthcare, agriculture, energy, and trade. With a population of approximately 1.5 billion, Africa is becoming a major hub for future economic activity and investment, presenting Pakistan with valuable opportunities, especially for expanding pharmaceutical exports. Several ICDT member countries, which rely heavily on imported medicines, have expressed interest in importing pharmaceuticals from Pakistan and investing in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry. This presents a promising avenue for enhancing economic cooperation between Pakistan and the Islamic world. As I returned from Mauritania, I was reminded that the world is changing rapidly. Nations that invest in knowledge, research, healthcare, and technology will be the ones that lead the future. For the Islamic world, this is a time for unity, collaboration, and practical action to build a stronger and more self-reliant future.