Background
The Consultative Committee on Scientific and Technological Development and Technological Innovation (ESTIC) was established in 2001, pursuant to Resolution 225 adopted by the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA) during its 21st ministerial session (10-11 May 2001), and then ratified by the United Nations Economic and Social Council in its substantive session of 2001. According to Resolution 225, the Committee should be formed of distinguished experts in science, technology and innovation, and should meet at least once every two years with the following main duties: (a) Advising on member country endeavours to acquire modern technology including the need for support, with particular reference to information and communications technology (ICT), biotechnology and new materials technology; (b) Proposing ways to promote regional cooperation for the transfer, adaptation and mastery of technology; (c) Advising on priorities related to ESCWA work programmes in the fields of developing scientific and technological capabilities and technological innovation; and (d) Following-up on international and regional resolutions relating to science, technology and innovation and their implementation in member countries.
Organization
Since its establishment in 2001, three meetings of the Committee were held in 2002, 2004 and 2006. The Fourth meeting of ESTIC is organized by the Information and Communications Technology Division (ICTD) of ESCWA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and will be held in Manama, during 1-2 April 2008. The meeting venue will be announced later.
Objectives
The forthcoming fourth Committee meeting will review ICTD’s achievements during the biennium 2006-2007, its programme of work for 2008-2009, and its strategic framework for the biennium 2010-2011. The latter will be submitted to the ESCWA Ministerial Session followed by the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly for adoption.
The meeting will also follow-up on Resolutions 273 and 274, adopted by the 24th ministerial session in 2006, regarding the development of the information society in Western Asia and the establishment of the ESCWA Technology Centre for Development. ESTIC members will review and eventually revise the draft resolution that will be submitted to the ESCWA 25th ministerial session in May 2008.
Topics
The issues to be addressed at the Fourth ESTIC meeting include:
(a) Progress made in the implementation of the recommendations of the previous ESTIC meeting;
(b) Progress made towards the establishment of the ETC for Development, including the reports on science, technology and innovation (STI) needs of the ESCWA region and the activities addressing hosting and financing issues;
(c) Follow-up to and implementation of the WSIS outcomes in Western Asia;
(d) ICTD activities implemented during 2006-2007, and work programme for the biennium 2008-2009; and
(e) Proposed strategic framework for 2010-2011.
