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Background
The United
Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
(ESCWA) twenty-first session has decided to establish a
Consultative Committee on Scientific and Technological
Development and Technological Innovation (ESTIC), formed of
distinguished experts in science, technology and innovation (STI).
Resolution 225 (XXI) of this session, ratified by the United
Nations Economic and Social Council, outlines the main duties
of ESTIC as follows: (i) advising on member country endeavours
to acquire modern technology including the need for support,
with particular reference to information and communications
technology (ICT), biotechnology, and new materials technology;
(ii) proposing ways to promote regional cooperation for the
transfer, adaptation and mastery of technology; (iii) advising
on priorities related to ESCWA work programmes in the fields
of developing scientific and technological capabilities and
technological innovation; (iv) following up on international
and regional resolutions relating to STI and their
implementation in member countries. The same resolution
stipulated that the Committee should meet at least once every
two years.
The first
meeting of ESTIC was held in Beirut on 18 July 2002 following
the Forum on Technology, Employment and Poverty Alleviation in
the Arab Countries, and focused on the uses of new
technologies, including ICT, for poverty reduction and
employment creation.
With ESCWA
restructuring, a newly established division – the Information
and Communications Technology Division (ICTD) – has been
mandated by the Secretary General Bulletin to provide
servicing for ESTIC meetings.
The “Regional
Preparatory Conference for WSIS – Partnership for building the
Arab information society”, will be held in Damascus during
22-23 November 2004.[1]
The Conference main outcome, namely the Regional Plan of
Action for building the Information Society, will constitute a
major input to the Meeting. The proposed ICTD work programme
for the biennium 2006-2007 will also be discussed. The
Committee should provide guidance to ICTD and to the Team on
Technology for Sustainable Development, with respect to their
work programmes.
Objectives:
The Second
Meeting of the ESCWA Consultative Committee on Scientific and
Technological Development and Technological Innovation aims
at:
Promoting
networking research and development (R and D) in the ESCWA
member countries;
Making the
ICTD work programme more adapted to the needs of the ESCWA
member countries.
Organization:
The Meeting is
organized by ESCWA and will be held on the 24th of November
2004 at the Umayyad Congress Palace, in Damascus, Syria,
following the Regional Preparatory Conference for WSIS.
With a view to
best serve the above-mentioned two objectives, the Meeting is
structured into two segments:
The first
segment on “Networking research and development in the ESCWA
member countries”, will be held between 09:00 and 12:30
hours, on the morning of 24th of November 2004;
The second
segment on “ICTD work programme and the Regional Plan of
Action for building the information society” will be held
between 14:00 and 17:30 hours, on the afternoon of 24th of
November 2004.
Participants/registration:
Participants in
the meeting will include a carefully selected group of
distinguished experts in science, technology and innovation (STI)
from academic institutions, research centres, governmental
institutions, ministries, and enterprises engaged in
innovative activities, as well as representatives of
international/regional multilateral development agencies.
Language:
Both Arabic and
English will be accepted working languages at the Meeting. No
simultaneous interpretation will be provided.
Additional
information:
The Web page
http://www.escwa.un.org/wsis/conference2/main.html provides
the latest information on the Meeting and the Conference.
Inquiries and requests for additional information should be
addressed to:
Mr. Ahmed
Farahat, Director
ICT Division, ESCWA
P.O. Box 11-8575
Beirut, Lebanon
Email: farahat@un.org
Tel: +961-1-978549
Fax: +961-1-981510
Inquiries on
organizational and substantive matters related to the first
segment should be directed to:
Mr. Omar
Bizri, Team Leader
Team on Technology for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development and Productivity Division, ESCWA
E-mail: bizri@un.org
Tel: +961-1-978506, Mobile: 961-3-297543
Fax: +961-1-981510/1/2
Inquiries
regarding logistics, including travel and accommodation,
should be directed to:
Mr. Ramzi
Ramadan, Director
Public Relations
Syrian Telecommunication Establishment
Mazeh Autostrade, PO Box 35108
Syrian Arab Republic
Email: pub-dir@net.sy
Tel: +963-11-6122645
Fax: +963-11-6121645
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