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 14 June 2004
Sao Paulo, Brazil
The interactive dialogue on harnessing emerging technologies to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will be organized by UNCTAD, in collaboration with UNIDO and the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD), as one of the side events of UNCTAD XI. The event will address the question of how applications of science and technology can be enhanced and put to use to help countries achieve the MDGs. For example, science and technology play an important role in addressing challenges associated with poverty alleviation through their contributions to economic development and efficiency (e.g., ICTs), agricultural productivity and enhanced nutrition (e.g., biotechnology). The event will take place in the afternoon of Monday 14 June 2004 in Room II.
However, applications of science and technology to areas related to health, agriculture, food security and trade demand real and effective partnerships between all stakeholders, including the private and public sectors, industry, academia and civil society. Developing countries, such as China, India and Malaysia, have developed best practices, particularly in the development and application of ICTs, whereas other countries, such as Argentina, Cuba and the Republic of Korea, are poised to become leaders in biotechnology applications. Panelists will include well-known personalities, most notably Jeffrey Sachs (not yet confirmed) to speak on the potential of biotechnology to improve health and food productivity, José Maria Figueres to address issues related to ICTs and Ambassador Ronaldo Sardenberg (Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations in New York) to address the role of science and technology in development. Other leaders in the areas of ICTs and biotechnology will be invited to address innovative methods and exchange experiences that could be used to harness these emerging technologies to meet the Millennium Development Goals.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Mongi Hamdi
United Nations Conference for Trade and Development
Palais des Nations1211
Geneva, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 22 9175069
Fax: +41 22 9170122
e-mail: mongi.hamdi@unctad.org
website: http://www.unctad.org/stdev
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