SADC Protocol on Science, Technology, and Innovation Thomas Auf der Heyde Briefing to Select Committee 3 August 2011
History of SADC Protocol on STI (1) 2006: SADC Declaration on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) drafted by SADC senior officials and adopted by Ministers in Pretoria 2007: SADC senior officials drafted SADC Protocol on Science, Technology and Innovation in Durban 2007: Ministers approved SADC Protocol in Pretoria 2008: SADC Protocol on STI approved by the SADC Heads of States and Government during the SADC Summit in Johannesburg
History of SADC Protocol on STI (2) September 2009: draft Cabinet memo October 2009: African Renaissance Committee presentation November 2009: ICTS presentation February 2010: ICTS Cabinet Committee presentation April 2010: tabled in Parliament July 2010: Presentation to Portfolio Committee February 2011: Re-tabled by Minister Pandor
Key objectives of the Protocol Provide a base for development of institutional mechanisms for regional cooperation and coordination of STI Ensure proper coordination of resources for regional STI programmes as identified in the RISDP and CPA Promote development and harmonisation of STI approaches in the region Maximise public and private investment in R&D in the region
Regional STI interventions SADC Policy Training SADC SET WEEK SADC Women-in-Science SADC STI Strategy SADC IPR SADC IKS SADC Climate Change SADC Blue Gene
Financial implications DST budget 09/10 – 11/12: R9.816m Leveraged foreign funds: R3.310m
Summary Ratification of SADC Protocol is an important step toward regional integration Considerable progress being made in developing regional interventions; SADC the leading REC Interest in key development partners to support regional initiatives Bilateral cooperation growing steadily (self-financed) BUT SADC STI Desk weak and under-resourced Development partners reluctant to support STI Desk