The Commission, at its sixth session in May 2003, selected as the substantive theme for its inter-sessional period 2003-2004 "Promoting the application of science and technology to meet the Millennium Development Goals". In undertaking this theme, the Commission held a number of Internet working groups as well as a panel meeting to address policies and measures that will lead to:
- improving the policy environment for the application of science and technology to development by identifying potential risks and benefits of new and emerging technologies;
- strengthening basic and applied research in developing countries and international scientific networking;
- strengthening technology support institutions and science advisory mechanisms, building human capacity, identifying new technologies and applications, and encouraging international collaboration to support research in these fields; and
- promoting universal Internet access at affordable costs and building strategic partnerships in the field of science and technology for development and capacity building for competitiveness.
The findings and recommendations that have emerged from this panel will be considered by the Commission at its seventh session. The outcome of the deliberations will be submitted to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
The Commission will also review progress made on decisions taken at its sixth regular session in May 2003.
Resource persons for the Session include Nobel Laureate in Medicine, Professor John Suslton (U.K.), the Minister of Science and Technology of Egypt (not yet confirmed), Ambassador Walter Lichem, Director-General of International Organizations at the Federal ministry of Foreign Affairs of Austria and Dr. Busi Madolo, Director of the Multilateral Cooperation Department of Science and Technology of South Africa.
Mr. Mongi Hamdi, Chief,
Technology for Development Section,
Policies and Capacity-building Branch,
Division on Investment, Technology and Enterprise Development
T: 41-22-917-5069
