Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries - Academy of Science

Expectations on the Academy Development Initiative Webinar on Role of Academies of Sciences in Africa

mbuldys — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 17:21:00 +0000

Statement by Mr. Joshua Setipa, Managing Director

29 July 2021, Turkey

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to be on this webinar and reconnect with you. Since the last time we interacted especially with the lead academies, there have been a number of developments in supporting academies of sciences in Africa.

In 2020, the Technology Bank and NASAC partnered to support LDCs to establish and support existing academies that resulted in launches of academies in Angola, Lesotho, DRC and Malawi. More are planned during this year of which the Champions are present today.

It is critical at this juncture to highlight the importance of ensuring that all newly established academies of sciences must be registered as legal entities, must maintain independence as well as be able to mobilize resources that will make them sustainable. The launch is the first of many milestones which are more challenging and require political and financial commitment.

COVID19 pandemic made 2020 unprecedented, disrupting every fiber of mankind but it was through science that a breakthrough was reached in the development of the COVID19 vaccines. It is not for me to preach to the converted that science is driver of sustainable development and is applicable in all that we do.

The purpose of this webinar as articulated in the agenda is to explore collaboration amongst the academies of sciences especially how newly established academies of sciences can be supported and mentored by leading academies. It is the view of Technology Bank and NASAC to make these webinars regular to provide a platform for engagement amongst the academies, encourage active participation and share experiences towards providing evidence-based advice to policymakers.

I take this opportunity to also articulate some ideas and recommendations that can enhance the role of academies of sciences in Africa as follows:

Facilitating engagement of policymakers with science academies in an open and inclusive manner that will ensure that evidence informs policy formulation, implementation, and review.
Create opportunities that bring scientists and policymakers together including seconding and inviting scientists into the policy making institutions like Parliaments and specific government departments through Masters and PhD fellowships.
Establish programmes that engage the scientists in the diaspora is essential for small countries like Lesotho for example. This should be coupled with the development of science policy leadership in all countries.
Strengthen cooperation between senior academies and female and young, scientists. Young academies can be effective in engaging with universities, schools, and the public. Established academies should also work with new academies by taking advantage of the bilateral cooperation between countries and some multilateral bodies like the Regional Economic Communities and the African Union.

From the perspective of the Technology Bank, we also place priority on promoting Science diplomacy and leveraging the multilateral system in the use of diplomatic actions to further scientific and technological progress as well as in providing advice to inform and support foreign policy objectives.

Science diplomacy will facilitate dialogue on the implications of rapid technological developments that can be disruptive (good and bad) to societies in order to maximize the benefits and minimize the negative consequences and threats from technological advances (e.g., AI, gene editing, synthetic biology, robotics, big data, blockchain, social media, etc.).

Science diplomacy will also accelerate progress on the global goals, especially the global environmental goals (climate, oceans, biodiversity), to safeguard the planet and help countries understand and commit to their share of global responsibilities.

Enhancing STI capacity in developing and emerging economies in the UN Technology Facilitation Mechanism initiative on “STI for SDGs roadmaps” is a viable vehicle for a number of countries.

Lasty, I wish you a productive meeting and would not close without, informing you that the Fifth Conference for the Least Developed Countries will be held in January 2022 and that they First Africa Science Festival to be organized by the African Union.

I thank you.

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The Launch of Congolese Academy of Science

mbuldys — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 15:42:00 +0000

Friday, 26 March 2021 - 2:30pm

The UN Technology Bank works to support the establishment and strengthening of Academies of Science capacities in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to play a critical role in advising governments on STI policy development and implementation to address socio-economic challenges and promote development.

In March 2021, the UN Technology Bank and The Network of African Science Academies teamed up to support the launch of the Congolese Academy of Science.

Background:

Since 2019, the Technology Bank has conducted five regional consultations, four in Africa and one in Asia, that brought together all LDCs and setting a path for informing the work programme. In the past years, UN Technology Bank has partnered with the Network of African Academies (NASAC) to support existing academies and establish ones where they do not exist. In 2020, UN Technology Bank supported Angola (launched in Dec 2020) and in March 2021 Lesotho. Additional countries planned for 2021 include, Malawi and Chad, Cambodia, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone, and the Solomon Islands.

Speakers:

Live interventions by distinguished speakers from the government of The Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Network of African Science Academies, and the Congolese Academy of Sciences.

H.E. Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Mr. Joshua Setipa, Managing Director, UN Technology Bank for the LDCs
Prof. Norbert Hounkonnou, President of Network of African Academies
Prof. Jean-Jacques Muyembe, President of the Congolese Academy of Sciences
Prof. Joséphine Ntumba, University of Kinshasa

Register:

The session will be hosted both physically and virtually.

Please join us via Zoom at: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/1/g27xgcx

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UN Technology Bank and NASAC teamed up to support the launch of the Lesotho Academy of Science and Technology

mbuldys — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 14:43:00 +0000

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Rodger Bosch/FAO

Maseru/Gebze – UN Technology Bank and The Network of African Science Academies teamed up to support the launch of the Lesotho Academy of Science and Technology (LAST), which will play a critical role in advising on science, technology and innovation (STI) policy development and implementation to address socio-economic challenges and promote development in Lesotho. The LAST is an independent platform for contact and knowledge transfer among the private sector, public sector, civil society, academics, and government in the fields of science, technology, and innovation

Since the end of 2018, UN Technology Bank has directly implemented projects and activities in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) including establishing and supporting existing academies of sciences Academies of science promote the advancement of science and technology and provide governments with science-based policy advice.

The Lesotho Academy of Science and Technology will serve as the prime advisors of the government of Lesotho and the general public on matters pertaining to science, technology, and innovation. As an independent organization, the LAST will promote science and engineering and strengthen its influence in Lesotho. The major objectives of the Academy include providing linkages between academia and the industry and facilitating technological innovation and excellence in Lesotho.

Rt. Hon. Dr. Moeketsi Majoro, Prime Minister of Lesotho highlighted that “This science academy is going to adjudicate over disputes amongst the academia, in particular our local Scientists. As government, we pledge to support this academy in its cry for autonomy, how it elects its members and how it is led.”

The Academies of Science are also important sources of current and emerging leaders in science and advocates for STI, which can help connect their respective governments with research communities and reward outstanding contributors to STI.

“The key objective of the Technology Bank under this programme is to support Lesotho’s national technological efforts and support the reinforcement of partnerships across sectors and help Lesotho identify, access, adapt and deploy appropriate technologies to transform its economy and improve the livelihoods of Basotho,” said Joshua Setipa, Managing Director of the UN Technology Bank.

“Through the Lesotho Academy, NASAC hopes to build confidence in the lives and inspirations of the eminent scientists, who have taken the path least followed – to pursue youth towards careers in science,” emphasized Prof. Norbert Hounkonnou, President of Network of African Academies.

The LAST should affiliate with regional and continental academies of sciences as a reservoir of advice, strategic leadership, and expertise. African academies play an important role in supporting SDGs and Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024 (STISA-2024). In the first quarter of 2021, UN Technology Bank will support launching academies in Malawi, DRC, and Chad, followed by Liberia, Niger, and Sierra Leone. The sustainability of academies of sciences is of paramount importance to the Technology Bank, and will continue supporting existing academies to enhance their strategic planning, mobilise resources and increase the awareness about academies.

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The Launch of Lesotho Academy of Science and Technology

mbuldys — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 18:25:00 +0000

Monday, 15 March 2021 - 10:15am

In March 2021, the UN Technology Bank and The Network of African Science Academies teamed up to support the launch of the Lesotho Academy of Science and Technology.

Background:

Since 2019, the Technology Bank has conducted five regional consultations, four in Africa and one in Asia, that brought together all LDCs and setting a path for informing the work programme. In the past years, UN Technology Bank has partnered with the Network of African Academies (NASAC) to support existing academies and establish ones where they do not exist. In 2020, UN Technology Bank supported Angola (launched in Dec 2020). In 2021, Lesotho, Malawi, DRC, and Chad will launch their academies in the first quarter of 2021. Cambodia, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone, and the Solomon Islands will also be supported in 2021.

Speakers:

Live interventions by distinguished speakers from the government of Lesotho, the Network of African Science Academies, South African Academy of Science and Southern Africa Development Community.

Rt. Hon. Dr. Moeketsi Majoro, Prime Minister of Lesotho
Hon. Ntlhoi Motsamai, Minister of Education and Training, Lesotho
Mr. Joshua Setipa, Managing Director, UN Technology Bank for the LDCs
Prof. Norbert Hounkonnou, President of Network of African Academies
Prof. Himla Soodyall, Executive Officer of Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Ms. Anneline Morgan, Senior SADC Programme Manager

Register:

The session will be hosted virtually.

Please join us via Zoom at: https://bit.ly/3rzMo0a

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UN Technology Bank and Network of African Science Academies launch the Angola Academy of Science to strengthen the capacity of science academies in African LDCs

mbuldys — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 18:21:00 +0000

angola_academy_js3.png

UN Technology Bank

Gebze – The UN Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries and The Network of African Science Academies partnered to strengthen and establish academies of sciences in African Least Developed Countries. Today, sees the launch of the Angola Academy of Science to support and advise the government in directing science and technology policies for the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The UN Technology Bank acknowledges that science academies play a critical role in advising governments on science, technology and innovation (STI) policy development and implementation in order to address socio-economic challenges and promote development in least developed countries.

"The Angola Academy of science will serve as a partner to the government of the Republic of Angola, private sector industry and the science, technology, and innovation community. The academy will also remain pivotal in directing STI policies that support the realization of the sustainable development goals in Angola” said Joshua Setipa, UN Technology Bank's Managing Director. "Academies constitute eminent scientists who are able to provide advice to policymakers that is independent, free of vested interests, subject to peer review and evidence-based."

President of the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC), Prof. Mahouton Norbert Hounkonnou, partner of the UN Technology Bank stated that "Prosperity in life and livelihoods is realized when science interfaces with policy and society. The people of Angola have undoubtedly embraced prosperity by the proclamation of the Angolan Academy of Science.”

The Angola Academy of Science will use appropriate communication portals to inform all relevant parties of recent STI developments around the country, thus benefiting both the economy and society. The Angola Academy of Science will benefit from capacity development activities and identify opportunities by collaborating and engaging with regional, continental and global networks of academies and champion, including through south-south collaboration between academies.

In his remarks, Dr. Bornito de Sousa Baltazar Diogo, Vice President of the Republic of Angola emphasized that “It is urgent to train Teacher 4.0 and School 4.0 where we will train the children of today who will build Angola in 2050 and the 4th Industrial Revolution, based on the country’s current reality.”

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United Nations to strengthen national Academies of Science in Asia and the Pacific

mbuldys — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 16:42:00 +0000

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Innovative solutions from regional organizations and presentations from the next generation of change-makers in Kathmandu.

ICIMOD Kathmandu

Bangkok – Science, technology and innovation play a vital role in ensuring sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific, especially for low-income countries. In support of this, a two-day consultation on strengthening national academies of science in the region concluded in Bangkok, Thailand today.

The event, organized by the United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), brings together policymakers, representatives of existing national academies of science, scientists and researchers to exchange experiences and identify pilot countries for the establishment and support of national academies of science.

“As we unlock the potential of innovation to help accelerate the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals, new challenges are emerging that need collective and proactive action. That is why ESCAP is joining forces with the UN Technology Bank and our member States to develop regulatory frameworks for fast moving technologies and incentives and disincentives that will help align technology investments with the SDGs,” said Mr. Kaveh Zahedi, Deputy Executive Secretary of ESCAP.

The consultation will outline a roadmap for capacity development and cooperation, regionally and nationally, to boost national science academies.

“The world’s least developed countries stand to benefit enormously from national academies of science. The expert support and guidance that these institutions can offer national governments has the potential to greatly increase partnerships, encourage interaction and guide effective policy,” said Mr. Joshua Setipa, Managing Director of the United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries.

"This consultation is a key moment for the Asia and Pacific region to bring together stakeholders involved with national academies of science. We are very pleased to be in Bangkok to learn from each other’s experience and to plan a way forward together.”

A number of high-level delegates participated in the consultation. These included Mr. Kaveh Zahedi, Deputy Executive Secretary, ESCAP, His Excellency Kitti Settha Pandita Cham Prasidh, Senior Minister, Minister of Industry & Handicraft, Cambodia, and Mr. Joshua Setipa, Managing Director, UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries.

Throughout the two days, perspectives and experiences were shared by representatives of the science, technology and innovation sector in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kiribati, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal and Timor-Leste.

Download the press release (PDF)

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