unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (09/03/89)
transferring science and technology to developing countries on concessional
and preferential terms. There should also be greater concentration on the
relationship between science and technology policies and industrial and trade
policy and the need for improved technology monitoring and assessment.
The Centre and Fund should support the efforts of least developed
countries to effectively employ science and technology to their development
needs. Those countries were increasingly out of the mainstream of science and
technology developments. The Fund had played a key role in assisting them and
he urged that it be kept intact. At the same time, collaboration between the
Fund and Centre was to be encouraged.
PAUL LEMERLE (France) speaking on behalf of the 12 member States of the
European Community (Belgium, Denmark, France, Federal Republic of Germany,
Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and United
Kingdom), said the Twelve did not wish to reopen the debate, during which they
had expressed their views on the role of the United Nations in science and
technology. He maintained some doubts about the purpose of linking science
and technology with development, and challenged some of the economic analysis
made during the Committee's sessions. The Twelve had agreed to consensus, and
felt that the resolutions would be reviewed by Governments, who would no doubt
be heard from.
He expressed satisfaction with the atmosphere in which the Committee' s
work was done, and thanked the Chairman for inspiring mutual respect among
Committee members. The fact that consensus had been achieved among
delegations with such differing views without suspicion or resentment was a
positive fact and was important for all United Nations activities.
Adoption of 1991 Agenda
Following a request by Malaysia, on behalf of the "Group of 77"
developing countries, the Committee agreed to include in the agenda for its
next session items on financing of science and technology for development and
on the assessment of the impact of the activities of the United Nations system
in promoting endogenous capacity building in developing countries in the field
of science and technology.
The Committee then adopted the provisional agenda, as amended, without a
vote.
Adoption of Report to the Assembly
The Rapporteur, James Mugume (Uganda) introduced the Committee's report
to the Assembly (documents A/CN.11/L.131 and adds. 1-4) containing a summary
of its deliberations relating to the Vienna Programme of Action, science and
technology for development activities of the United Nations system, as well as
programme questions and the appointment of 14 candidates to the Advisory
Committee on Science and Technology for Development.
Concluding Statements
JAVIER PAULINICH (Peru) speaking on behalf of the Latin American and
Caribbean group of States, said that the post of Vice-Chairman from that group
for the 1991 Committee Session would be filled by Mrs. Dulce Arnao de Uzcategu
(Venezuela), her country's Minister of Science and Technology.
SERGIO TRINDADE, Executive Director of the Centre for Science and
Technology for Development, said the Committee was now focusing on the
substance of implementing the Vienna Programme of Action after years of
concentrating on means. A dialogue among stakeholders in the development
process had been given greater attention than in the past. Stampeding the
implementation of projects without such a dialogue could be a recipe for
disaster. He hoped that at its next session, the Committee's decisions would
impact directly on the relevant portions of the Organization's budget. It was
clear that sustainable development was impossible without the exploitation of
science and technology for development.
The Chairman, CELSO LAFER (Brazil) said there had been near unanimity
that the Vienna Programme's high aspirations remained unfulfilled, but the
aspirations that had brought science and technology to the forefront of the
multilateral agenda remained. Science and technology had not yet been
integrated into the strategies of the developed countries.
Endogenous capacity-building of developing countries needed to be
integrated into the international agenda, he said. The developing countries
had difficulty in obtaining advanced technology because of their unfavourable
economic situation, and the United Nations system needed to play a more
dynamic role to complement domestic efforts. It was time to acknowledge that
the autonomous ability to make decisions on science and technology would
enable Governments to exploit their natural resources more rationally without
inflicting the damage to the environment experienced by their forerunners in
the development process.
An essential component of endogenous capacity was the assessment of new
technologies in particular, he said, so that developing countries could
introduce necessary structural and political adjustments. While many
developed countries had such a capacity, most developing countries took vital
economic decisions without being aware of technological ramifications.
The Committee was the only forum in the United Nations system with a
mandate for all aspects of science and technology and could assist the General
Assembly in its work in that area, he said. Substantive themes of future
sessions would be chosen among subjects with major scientific and
technological ramifications for General Assembly debates. There was a
continuing need for harmonization of United Nations activities, and, in
particular, missions must continue to engage in dialogue to ensure that
national priorities were more effectively served. The Centre and Fund should
explore the possibilities of a new coalition of funding sources and present
ideas to the Committee at its next session. The Committee must reassert
itself in order to render more effective assistance to the global debate.
* Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501)
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