United Nations Secretary-General to attend signing of agreement
Geneva, 29 August 2008 - UNCTAD will carry out a science, technology and innovation policy review (STIP) to help Iraq take practical, effective steps to reconstruct its economy and speed its future development.
A memorandum of understanding on the project will be signed in Geneva on 1 September 2008 by Iraqi Minister of Science and Technology Raid Fahmi and by UNCTAD Secretary-General Supachai Panitchpakdi. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will attend the event.
Under the terms of the memorandum, the STIP will be prepared by a team of experts working under the direction of UNCTAD, in partnership with government officials, private-sector representatives, university officials, research institute directors and others. The STIP will provide a basis for comprehensive Iraqi plans to encourage and capitalize on science, technology and innovation as a way of spurring long-term economic growth.
UNCTAD carries out STIP reviews at the request of developing country Governments. The organization´s latest review, of Angola, was presented on 29 May at the eleventh session of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development. STIP evaluations also have been performed for seven other developing countries.
While Iraq´s efforts in science, technology and innovation used to be among the best in its region, the country´s intellectual infrastructure has suffered substantial setbacks following years of isolation and diminishing resources and infrastructure damage. Estimates from different sources indicate that nearly 80% of the country´s higher education and research institutions are not fully operational, and a large number of Iraqi scientists and engineers are believed to have left the country. A major goal of the STIP will be to help Iraq ensure that its science, technology and innovation programmes become an instrument for supporting the reconstruction of Iraq, including through assisting the Government in stimulating the return of Iraqi scientists and engineers. The overall goal is to help Iraq function successfully in a knowledge-based, globalized economy.
The memorandum of understanding between Iraq and UNCTAD was developed following discussions at the May meeting of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development. At that time, Minister Fahmi expressed interest in a STIP review.
UNCTAD has been providing technical assistance in debt management to Iraq since September 2005, helping the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank to create a debt database for the recording and monitoring of all debt obligations contracted by the Government. UNCTAD is also providing technical advice and training of officials in WTO-related issues.
