About STDev

 CSTD 7th Session, 24-28 May 2004

At the national level, the Commission underscored the importance of institutionalising science advice, including through the creation of new institutions, and stressed the importance of a broad-based, people-centred, and multi-stakeholder approach in policy-making. The Commission also highlighted the crucial importance of monitoring and indicators in assessing progress. 

The Commission underlined the importance to strengthen indigenous scientific and technological capabilities, and noted that to achieve the MDGs, developing countries need to effectively harness simple and mature technologies, as well as utilise new and emerging technologies such as ICTs and biotechnologies. It also highlighted the important role of scientific research networks and centres of excellence in closing the research gap between the North and the South, facilitating the transfer of technology and know-how, and reversing the negative impact of the brain drain. Science parks and business incubators were also identified as important mechanisms for the commercialisation and diffusion of technology. 

The Commission adopted a draft resolution, which was recommended for adoption by the Economic and Social Council. In the resolution, entitled “Science and Technology for Development”, the Commission decided that the substantive theme and focus of its work during the inter-sessional period 2004-2005 would be “Science and technology promotion, advice and application for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals”. 

Specific emphasis will be placed on at least three key areas: the mutual interaction and dependency of science and technology, education with R&D; infrastructure building as a foundation for scientific and technological development; and promoting gainful employment in general and enterprise development in particular through the use of existing and emerging technologies, especially information and communication technologies (ICTs) and biotechnologies. All entities of the United Nations system working in these areas were invited to collaborate and provide input to the work of the Commission on its main theme.

The resolution also recommended that the Commission function as a global forum for the exchange of best practices and lessons learned in individual countries' efforts to apply science and technology to their development needs.

The session benefited from the participation of a number of eminent resource persons.