The Twenty-fifth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Minister (Session for a better future for the peoples of the Islamic Ummah) held in Doha, State of Qatar, from 17 to 19 Dhul Quida 1418H (15-17 March 1998),

Recalling the Resolution 51/39 dated 10 December 1996 of the United Nations General Assembly on the role of science and technology in the field of international security and disarmament;

Considering that new scientific and technological development have extensive and important impacts on the everyday life of all nations and would strengthen the socio-economic development of the Islamic Countries;

Recognizing that the control regimes in the field of science and technology would increase the gap between developing and the developed countries and also recognizing that transfer of science and technology for peaceful purposes to the developing and Islamic Countries would effectively promote North - South relations;

Recalling the Final Declaration of the 11th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Cartagena, Colombia, October 1995 in which interalia, the heads of States expressed that "the imposition of restrictions on the transfer of technology through Non-Transparent export control regimes with exclusive membership obstruct the socio-economic development of the developing countries";

Bearing in mind the exclusive and discriminatory character of the export control regimes which are in contravention with the legal obligation of the States Parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Biological Weapons Convention and Chemical Weapons Convention;

Emphasizing that multilaterally negotiated guidelines to regulate the transfer of the advanced technology, equipment and materials with military applications would contribute strengthening international peace and security;

1. Reaffirms that the exchange of science and technology for peaceful purposes should be made in the interest of mankind and should be aimed to strengthening the socio-economic development of the Islamic Countries.

2. Invites all States, particularly the developed countries, to commence multilateral negotiations with the participation of all interested countries on the universal and non-discriminatory guidelines on transfer of advanced technology, materials and equipment with military applications.

3. Requests all States parties to the international disarmament and non-proliferation treaties to review their existing national trade regulations and render them consistent with their obligations under those treaties by removing all restrictions beyond those established within the treaties.

4. Commends the efforts of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCýO) and COMSTECH to prepare the Strategy for the Development of Science and Technology in Islamic States, which was approved by the Eighth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference, held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran on 9 - 11 December 1997. Invites ISESCO to coordinate with the OIC General Secretariat to hold a meeting of Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Member States, to consider mechanisms for implementing the Strategy.

5. Encourages the relevant international organizations and agencies to facilitate the transfer of science and technology for peaceful purposes to the developing countries.

6. Requests the Secretary General to take appropriate steps for the implementation of this Resolution and submit a report thereon to the 26th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

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