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The deployment of technology for socio-economic development has been
a strong area of interest for the United Nations. ESCWA has
initiated programmes aimed at harnessing technology for alleviating
poverty and creating job opportunities for the communities.
A substantial commitment was made by ESCWA regarding the
establishment of the ESCWA Technology Centre (ETC) through the
adoption of resolution 254 (XXIII) of 12 May 2005 and resolution 274
(XXIV) of 11 May 2006 at the twenty-third and twenty-fourth
ministerial sessions. A pre-feasibility study to establish the ETC
was conducted in 2006, and a regional needs assessments and
implementation mechanisms study for the Centre was conducted in
2007.
In April 2008, the Executive Secretary of ESCWA sent out requests to
member countries seeking their expression of interest in hosting the
Centre. In May 2008, ESCWA resolution 284 (XXV) adopted at the
twenty-fifth ministerial session requested the secretariat to
finalize the hosting arrangements of the Centre. In August 2009,
following a formal process, the selection of the Hashemite Kingdom
of Jordan as the host country for the ESCWA Technology Centre was
approved. In May 2010, the twenty-sixth ESCWA ministerial Session
adopted the resolution 294 (XXVI) and the Statute of the Centre to
be established in Jordan after signing the required Host Country
Agreement.
Endorsing ESCWA resolution, the United Nations Economic and Social
Council adopted the resolution 2010/5, dated 20 July 2010, regarding
the establishment of the ESCWA Technology Centre and its governing
statute. Subsequently, ESCWA and Jordan signed, on 23 December 2010,
the Host Country Agreement for the establishment of the Centre in
the Jordanian Capital Amman, within El Hassan Science City.
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