The Commission on Science and Technology for Development held its sixth session from 5 to 9 May 2003 in Geneva. 

The Commission, at its fifth session in May 2001, selected as the substantive theme for its inter-sessional period 2001−2003 “Technology development and capacity-building for competitiveness in a digital society”, with particular attention to information and telecommunication technologies (ICTs) as pervasive tools of global impact with wide applications and growing potential. The Commission's work programme during the period 2001-2003 has been carried out through three panels.  These panels covered three main issues: (a) the measurement and benchmarking of technology development; (b) the role of foreign direct investment in transferring technology and in building national ICT capabilities; and (c) policy options of particular importance to developing countries. The findings and recommendations that have emerged from these panels were considered by the Commission at the sixth session.  The outcome of the deliberations will be submitted to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and will serve as an important contribution to the World Summit on the Information Society, which will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, in December 2003 and in Tunis, Tunisia, in November 2005.

The Commission reviewed progress made since its fifth session in 2001, especially in coordinating work on biotechnology, in disseminating information on science and technology and in developing special programmes for science and technology diplomacy.  As the coordinator of science and technology activities within the United Nations system, the Commission also reported on its activities in this area between 2001 and 2003, and drew up recommendations for the future.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Mongi Hamdi, Chief,
Technology for Development Section
Division on Investment, Technology and Enterprise Development
Tel: 41-22-917-5069
Email: mongi.hamdi@unctad.org