BIOSECURITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM: SUPPORT FOR U.S.-PAKISTAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 001268 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO PTER TSPL ETTC PK SUBJECT: BIOSECURITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM: SUPPORT FOR U.S.-PAKISTAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENT Ref: A. Islamabad 580 ¶B. Islamabad 581 ¶C. Islamabad 1100 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Department's Biosecurity Engagement Program (BEP) will contribute USD 1.2 million under the auspices of the U.S.-Pakistan Science and Technology (S&T) Agreement toward projects related to BEP's mission to engage scientists in Pakistan. Initially funded by USAID, collaborative research projects under the S&T Agreement were launched to promote linkages and collaboration on a range of technical issues. BEP funding ensures the continuation of U.S. support, with matching funding coming from Pakistan's Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST). BEP support includes sponsorship of an annual conference to bring U.S. and Pakistani scientists together as well as a special call for proposals on laboratory and clinical "best practices" in human and agricultural health. This cable is the fourth in a series of five outlining BEP progress in Pakistan. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) With science and technology named a priority under the U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, a joint Science and Technology (S&T) Agreement was launched in 2003 to facilitate and enhance collaboration on a range of subject areas. Collaborative research partnerships between U.S. and Pakistani institutions remain a key component of the S&T bilateral relationship. BEP representatives and EconOff joined the National Academies of Science (NAS) delegation visiting Islamabad January 30 to select final projects for funding. The research projects, all involving U.S. and Pakistani collaborators, are jointly selected by representatives from both countries. The U.S. side was represented by the State Department and USAID, the traditional source of project funding. Representatives from Pakistan's Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) represented the Government of Pakistan (GOP) in the peer review process. ¶3. (SBU) HEC and MOST committed to match U.S. funding for all projects selected. USAID contributed USD 1.775 million for eleven projects. BEP contributed USD 1.2 million to support eight additional projects relevant to BEP's mission. Combined USAID and BEP funding ensured that all top rated projects were funded. BEP funded the following projects: --Novel triple acting chimeric antimicrobials for eradication of multi-drug resistant strains of staphylococcus aureus --Hepatitis C virus management in Pakistan --Integrated genetic/physical mapping of Gossypium --Establishment of an integrated telepathology, pathology imaging and immunohistochemistry facility in Pakistan --Capacity building in lady health workers in rural Mardan, Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) through the use of ICT-based telemedicine --Management of greening by producing healthy plants, monitoring vectors and identification of tolerance --Enhance sugarcane production in Pakistan by modern breeding technology --Technology for the poor: low-cost information and computer technology for the masses in Pakistan ¶4. (SBU) BEP funding will only support U.S. collaborative costs through a pre-existing framework in which the U.S. National Academies of Science (NAS) provide peer review and oversight of U.S. collaborators. HEC representatives requested a joint workshop on grant writing skills to generate higher quality proposals in the future. The Commission offered to design a web-based application and resource site for both U.S. and Pakistani applicants. HEC and MOST requested that a special call for proposals be made for projects pertaining to laboratory biosafety and biosecurity "best practices." ¶5. (SBU) HEC Executive Director Dr. Sohail Naqvi and Secretary Parvez Butt of the Ministry of Science and Technology emphasized their support for the projects, as well as U.S.-Pakistan collaborations that have been established under the S&T agreement. Secretary Butt expressed particular interest in improving laboratory safety practices, stating that the Pakistan Council for Science and Industrial Research (PCSIR) is currently undergoing restructuring and requires technical assistance on chemical and biological safety. Secretary Butt also requested an increase in institutional linkages SIPDIS between the U.S. and Pakistan, singling out the U.S. National Science Foundation as a particularly attractive partner. Secretary Butt also offered to establish a BEP field office within the Ministry of Science and Technology. While current Embassy Islamabad security constraints prohibit a permanent BEP presence outside the Embassy, ISLAMABAD 00001268 002 OF 002 the space could serve as a common area for joint meetings. ¶6. (SBU) In separate meetings with BEP representatives, Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr. Atta-Ur-Rahman voiced support for continued U.S.-Pakistan scientific exchanges, outlining a number of priority areas for collaboration with BEP. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman specifically mentioned collaboration with the Center for Advance Molecular Biology (CAMB),the National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE) and the Husain Ibrahim Jamal Research Institute of Chemistry in Karachi. Additionally, Dr. Rahman asked for BEP assistance in improving clinical practices for the establishment of clinical trials in Pakistan and a distance learning and curriculum exchange program with U.S. institutions. ¶7. (SBU) BEP is working with MOST and HEC to develop a two to three day seminar to bring together U.S. and Pakistani project collaborators. The seminar is tentatively scheduled for late spring ¶2008. BEP will co-sponsor the event and provide travel grants to U.S. and Pakistan collaborating scientists to present their work. The event will be both the culmination of the first round of funded projects as well as an opportunity to discuss future work under the agreement. MOST hopes the event will reinvigorate the S&T dialogue at a higher level. ¶8. (SBU) Comment: The S&T dialogue remains an area of significant interest to the GOP and provides an important avenue for enhancing U.S.-Pakistan institutional and educational linkages. BEP funding provides a much-needed boost to U.S. funding for the program, set to expire at the end of this funding cycle. The agreement also provides an existing framework for BEP to engage scientific institutions across Pakistan. While GOP concerns that the U.S. may end its work under the agreement have eased as a result of the Department's support under BEP, additional support will be needed to maintain an active science and technology research partnership with Pakistan. End Comment. PATTERSON