12 April 2012: The first Africa Forum on Science, Technology and Innovations highlighted the need to invest in this key sector to foster sustainable growth and development and provide job opportunities for youth and women.

The event was organized by the Government of Kenya, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the African Union Commission (AU), and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), in collaboration with the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). It took place from 1-3 April 2012, in Nairobi and featured a two-day Experts’ Meeting, followed by a day-long Ministerial Conference.

The ministerial conference concluded with the signing of the Nairobi Ministerial Declaration on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), as well as an award ceremony for the top five Kenyan exhibitors who participated in “Africa on the Move – Showcasing Africa’s innovations,” an open exhibition organized during the STI forum in fields ranging from information and communication technology (ICT) applications to health, agriculture and education. The declaration includes a range of measures to harness STI for sustainable development. [Nairobi Ministerial Declaration on Science, Technology and Innovation] [African Union Announcement] [AfDB Announcement] [AfDB Press Release] [UNESCO Event Announcement] [UNESCO Press Release]