UNESCOs contribution to the implementation of the AU/CPA for science and technology 10 May 2010, Bamako West Africa Regional workshop on STI policy Dr Shamila Nair-Bedouelle Chef of Section, AU/CPA Implementation Division for Science Policies and Sustainable Development, Natural Sciences Sector,

Consolidated Plan of Action AU Summit, Jan 2007 The Plan is built on three interrelated conceptual pillars: capacity building knowledge production, and technological innovation Addis Declaration on S&T and Scientific Research for Development, called upon UNESCO to assist in implementation of the CPA

UNESCO – African Union Strategic Partnership for STI UNESCO leads UN S&T Cluster for the Support of AU/NEPAD Plan of Action UNESCO represents UN within the African Cluster for S&T UNESCO is a member of AMCOST Steering Committee (May 2008)

Members of the S&T Cluster include UNESCO, UNECA, WIPO, UNIDO, UNCTAD, FAO, UNEP, ILO, WHO, UNDP, UNU-MERIT, IAEA Science and Technology play a vital role for addressing Africas most pressing needs (MDGs, Food Security, Energy, Industries, etc.) Increased efforts by African Communities (AU, Ministers and Scientists) to harness S&T for Development –2009 AU Summit endorsed the African Science, Technology and Innovation Observatory S&T and Africas Development

UN Regional Development Efforts 1999 UN Secretary-Generals reform agenda Coherence of activities of UN agencies Regional consultation meetings (5 regions) 5th Regional Consultation, May 2003 established « UN Science and Technology Cluster » UNESCO as Convener and UNECA as Vice Convener

UN S&T Cluster Established: 2003 Members: 13 UN Agencies Activities Work closely with AU/NEPADs Plan of Action in Science Assist in preparation of First AMCOST 2003, Second and Third Contribution and support to the CPA Align Agency activities in support of the CPA

Report of the UN S&T Cluster 10 th UN RCM, Chair-Deputy Secretary General, UN Addis Ababa, November, 2009 Report of the UN S&T Cluster Achievements, Results and Impacts Challenges and Constraints Lessons Learned and the Way Forward 10 th UN RCM, Chair-Deputy Secretary General, UN Addis Ababa, November, 2009 Accountability-Structural Systemic Issues

4th Cluster, 4 Sept 2009, Geneva Participation of AU/NEPAD and Chair of AMCOST All Agencies participation in ACST: Abuja 2008 Bujumbura 2009 UNESCO participation in AMCOST Steering Committee/Bureau Abuja 2008 Bujumbura 2009 Accountability-Structural Systemic Issues

Secretariat: Coordinator, UNESCO, Paris Cluster web AU/NEPAD and RECs invited to regional meetings of Cluster members Need framework for overall monitoring/evaluation of on-going S&T capacity-building activities Coordination/Collaboration

Challenges and Constraints Coordination of diversity of actors in S&T development in Africa Need for synergies, collaboration and communication between CPA implementers and facilitators Harmonization in implementation of evidence based policy making Harmonization of data collection and analyses- R&D indicator surveys led by AU/NEPAD

Challenges and Constraints Identification of joint inter-agency activities - mandates - programming cycle - funding - reporting Mainstreaming joint activities in Science, Technology and Innovation into ONE UN and UNDAF priorities

African Innovation Endowment Fund, follow up to SwA, 2008, UNECA-June 2010 Harmonization of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy reviews, « holistic » reviews (IP, innovation), UNESCO « Evaluation of the CPA- 5 years on »- proposed by outgoing AMCOST-Chair, UNECA, UNESCO, WIPO, UNIDO »STI and its contribution to the MDGs » UNESCO/UNECA/AMCOST/AUC « unlocking the potential of science, technology and innovation to achieve the MDGs in Rwanda » Jan 2010 Way forward Identification of joint inter-agency initiatives

UNESCO – African Union Strategic Partnership for STI African Cluster for Science & Technology ACST UNECA - Vice Chair UNESCO – Rapporteur

AFRICAN UNION African Cluster for Science & Technology Established at AMCOST III, May 2008 provide a single forum for coordination of activities that contribute to implementation of the CPA

CPA Science Policy Programmes requests Creating institutional & policy arrangements to mobilize and share their resources to conduct science and generate technological innovations Building a critical mass of science policy advisors to African governments and the policy sector Build and disseminate information and experiences on science, technology and innovation policies

Promoting Innovation UNIDO establishing university chairs of innovation in African universities, and implementing the « Africa Technology and Innovation Initiative » (CAMI) UNECA launched the African Science, Technology and Innovation Endowment Funds and the Development of the African Innovation Framework (African Ministers of Finance) Strengthening links between science and business: UNESCOs University-Industry-Science Partnership The African Science to Business Challenge, UNECA Technology Parks and Incubators in Africa, UNIDO, UNESCO UNU-MERIT GLOBELICS program: building competence in innovation, how to measure innovation WIPO-Technical advice for national IP audits; IP and technology management; IP patent drafting; IP and knowledge transfer

Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy UNEP support to African Ministerial Council on the Environment, African Environmental Outlook for Policymakers To date 20 African countries have made requests to UNESCO for assistance with the review / reformulation of their STI policy via governments and Heads of State UNESCO implemented in collaboration with AUC and AU/NEPAD and planned joint activities with UNIDO,WIPO, UNECA and UNU-MERIT

UNESCOs Plan of Action GC 2007, UNESCOs 194 MS Africa Group = 54MS Capacity building in Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Enhancing Science & Technology Education The African Virtual Campus

CPA Science Policy Programmes requests Creating institutional & policy arrangements to mobilize and share their resources to conduct science and generate technological innovations Building a critical mass of science policy advisors to African governments and the policy sector Build and disseminate information and experiences on science, technology and innovation policies

Governance of Science: role of Parliament The need for closer co-operation among policy- makers, parliamentarians, scientists, journalists, industry (public and private) and civil society; The setting-up of parliamentary science committees in Africa A first Parliamentary Science Forum took place in Brazzaville March 2008 East Africa, Mombasa April 2009 (Mombasa Declaration)

STI policy, STI statistics and indicators training workshop (UNESCO, UIS, AU/NEPAD) -SADC, Botswana, Sept East and North Africa, Kenya, 30March- 4 April West Africa, Gabon, June 2009

STI policy, STI statistics and indicators training workshop (UNESCO, UIS, AU/NEPAD) Chair, AMCOST, Kenya

Conclusion UNESCO- instrument of international cooperation Strategic partners in Africa- AU-UNECA International peace and development can thrive through collaboration and dialogue Maximize science as a cultural value