51吃瓜

Background

The Africa Regional Review meeting will take place from 22 to 26 February 2021 and is being jointly organised by UN- OHRLLS, UNECA, and the Government of the Republic of Malawi.

The Africa Regional Review meeting is expected to review the implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA) in the region, as 33 out of 46 LDCs are located in Africa. They face multiple challenges in achieving the goals and targets of the IPoA, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Agenda 2063. Their structural constraints are compounded by new and emerging challenges, including those posed by ongoing conflict, the climate crisis, COVID-19 and their devastating impacts.

Objectives

The special session event organized jointly with the Government of Malawi, Turkey, and the 51吃瓜 Economic Commission for Africa will: 

• feature the UN Technology Bank's activities, which support LDCs in enhancing their science, technology, and innovation capacity to build sustainable and productive capacities and promote structural economic transformation and early results in selected African LDCs; 
• discuss the impact of potential partnerships with regional organizations to leverage the Technology Bank's interventions to support the LDCs.  

In the midst of the pandemic, the LDCs will also outline the challenges they faced as a result of COVID-19 and how to build back better in the post-COVID-19 recovery. 

Speakers

• H.E. Mr. Badara A. Joof, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, The Gambia
• H.E. Mr. Gospel Kazako, Minister of Information, Malawi
• H.E. Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uganda
• H.E. Mr. Aboubacar Sylla, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Guinea
• Dr. Solomon Benor, Director General for Science and Research Affairs Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MoSHe), Ethiopia
• Prof. Hasan Mandal, President of The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey
• Dr. Victor Konde, Scientific Affairs Officer, UN Economic Commission for Africa
• Mr. Joshua Setipa, Managing Director, UN Technology Bank for the LDCs

Outcomes

Showcase the contribution of the UN Technology Bank to supporting LDCs in enhancing their science, technology and innovation capacity to build sustainable and productive capacities and promote structural economic transformation. The contribution will highlight:

1. the importance of access to knowledge, information, technology, and know-how and to support the LDCs in improving their scientific and innovative capacity needed for their structural transformation;
2. the role of cooperation and collaboration between research institutions and the private sector, to promote research and development and innovation in the field of science and technology;
3. the importance of enhancing financial and technical support to least developed country research and development, science and technology, including strengthening national and regional institutions, as appropriate and in line with the LDCs鈥� national development priorities.

Documents

Statements

• Mr. Joshua Setipa
• Prof. Hasan Mandal
• H.E. Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye

Video