The opening ceremony for the twelfth session of the CSTD heard strong calls for action for science, technology and innovation policies to overcome the global economic, food and climate crises by stimulating long-term social and economic development.

UNCTAD Secretary-General Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi opened the Twelfth Session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development on Monday 25 May. Stressing the importance of the contribution of all the stakeholders to the work of the Commission and to ECOSOC, the Secretary-General explained that the Commission would undertake the third annual review of progress made in the implementation of and follow-up to the WSIS outcomes at the regional and international levels. He then introduced the two primary themes that would be explored at the Session, namely the building of indigenous capabilities in science, technology and innovation; and development-oriented policies for building socio-economic inclusive information societies.

The Secretary-General explained how UNCTAD, through its Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Reviews (STIPs), assists developing countries identify and adjust their policies and institutions in order to support the technological transformation, capacity-building and innovation of their enterprises. He relayed the three African country STIP reviews that are currently being finalized, in Mauritania, Ghana and Lesotho. He informed the Commission that a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Iraq for the implementation of a STIP review had been signed in September 2008. He also indicated that funding had been secured for carrying out STIP reviews in three Latin American countries and that requests for this had been received from the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Peru. Finally, he announced that UNCTAD will participate in UNESCO's science policy review of Gabon.

The Chairman of the CSTD, Ambassador Juan Eduardo Eguiguren, stressed the need for inclusive global and regional co-operation in order to develop appropriate policies to assist developing countries meet their development goals. He noted that the Commission was an extremely important multi-stakeholder event, in line with recommendations of the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society, and in recognition of the collaborative efforts following the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).

The Chairman introduced the two panel discussions that were to take place later in the day. The first panel, entitled "Mobile Telephony, Convergence and Social Networking Tools for Promoting Development", would discuss how mobile technology could contribute to poverty reduction and capacity increases. The afternoon panel, on "Delivering innovation in global public health" would explore the different scientific, technological, policy and institutional capacities and capabilities for addressing healthcare issues in developing countries.

Dr Hamadoun Touré, the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), expressed appreciation for the ICT progress that has been made in developing countries, but acknowledged that there is still some way to go. He relayed the success of last week's WSIS Forum, with its high-level speakers and firm emphasis on results rather than plans; and with actions rather than ideas to track progress and develop capacities to eliminate the huge differences that remain between regions, and between developed and developing economies. Dr Touré stressed the importance of collaboration and interactivity. Further, he raised the issue of cybersecurity, particularly making a difference in protecting children and young people online, and the need to address this problem with some urgency.

Mr. Jörg Frieden, Assistant Director-General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, underlined the need for inclusive ICT infrastructure to enable opportunities are provided for the poorest populations. He said that major investment should not be speculative, but intended as innovative gains, and that joint efforts should be built around capacities.

Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman & CEO of Talal Abu Ghazaleh Organization explained how, in many countries, the digital divide is growing, not narrowing. From this arises the need for two different paradigms. He called on UNCTAD to take the lead on this issue. He also spoke of the need for the integrated role of business in ICT infrastructure and development.

Ms Anriette Esterhuysen, Executive Director, Association for Progressive Communications called for greater leadership as developing countries adopt and implement ICTs. She underscored the need to ensure that the fundamental preconditions for innovation were in place, and reminded the Commission that freedom of information in many countries is still viewed as a threat to governments, not an opportunity. She stressed that CSTD, as a unique forum, has an enormous role to play in overcoming this obstacle.