16 November 2012: The Second Committee of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) hosted a Special Event on Science, Technology, and Innovation for Development on 16 November 2012, in New York, US. As the upcoming Economic and Social Council’s (ECOSOC) 2013 Annual Ministerial Review (AMR) will discuss these topics in the context of sustainable development and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), this event was meant to create a link between the Second Committee and ECOSOC deliberations.
The event, an interactive panel discussion between academics, was hosted by Shamshad Akhtar, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development. Akhtar commented on the global need to “jumpstart” the economy through productivity improvements and sustainable approaches.
The four panelists all highlighted the importance of education programs for science and technology in developing countries as crucial for growth. Romain Murenzi, Executive Director, Third World Academy of Sciences, stressed the need for a “minimal science literacy program for the world at large” to focus on knowledge acquisition, creation, and transfer in all countries. Ping Li, Chief Executive Officer, International Federation of Multimedia Associations, also emphasized the need to increase public awareness and training for technology professions. Panelists spoke of the need for research and development (R&D) funding in developing countries, particularly at the university level.
The post-2015 development agenda also was a subject of discussion, with the panelists highlighting their ideas for future science and technology goals. Nathan Hultman, University of Maryland and Brookings Institution, emphasized the need for an action-orientated agenda, with a vision for technology transfer and local solutions. He stressed that creating enabling conditions for technology development in local communities will “serve people who need it most.” Eskil Ullberg, George Mason University, proposed South-South and North-South Fellowship Programs and merit-based research grants to foster relationships of mutual learning and research between countries.
The meeting concluded with discussion of “measurable goals” for development, and a question-and-answer session with Member States, focusing on: intellectual property rights (IPR) for Least Developed Countries (LDCs); funding from Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs); and the creativity of the internet sector. [Concept Note for Panel Event]