unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (09/03/89)
item on technology assessment. The Committee would also approve the draft
programme in science and technology for development of the United Nations
medium-term plan for the period 1992-1997 in light of the end-of-decade review
of the 1979 Vienna Programme of Action.
By draft resolution A, on the end-of-decade review of the Vienna
Programme of Action (document A/CN.11/L.134), the General Assembly would
reaffirm the validity of the Vienna Programme and would consider that science
and technology for development should be one of the major themes of the
Assembly's special session on international economic co-operation, the Ad Hoc
Committee of the Whole for the Preparation of the International Development
Strategy for the 1990's, the Second United Nations Conference on the Least
Developed Countries and the proposed conference on environment and development
Draft resolution B would have the Assembly call upon the organizations of
the United Nations system to provide sustained support to building the
endogenous capacities of developing countries in science and technology,
including their capacity for technology assessment. The Centre and the United
Nations Fund for Science and Technology for Development would be urged to
continue to implement pilot science and technology studies in developing
countries, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP), other interested bodies of the United Nations system, and major donor
countries.
Under the terms of draft resolution C, the Assembly would call upon the
governing bodies of the United Nations system to enhance co-ordination and
harmonization at the country level, through the office of the resident
co-ordinator, in order to increase coherence and efficiency in responding to
science and technology priorities set by each developing country. The
Director-General for Development and International Co-operation would be
requested to closely monitor United Nations science and technology for
development activities.
By draft resolution D, on the financing of science and technology for
development, the General Assembly would request the Secretary-General to
explore the possible organization of a more effective coalition of resources
within the United Nations development system, multilateral financial
institutions, regional development banks and bilateral funding agencies to
strengthen the endogenous capacity building of developing countries. It would
recommend that the Fund accord priority in support of: pilot projects on the
endogenous capacity building of developing countries; activities related to
the follow up of substantive themes considered by the Committee; and projects
aimed at fostering co-operation among developing countries. The
Secretary-General would be requested to prepare a report on financing of
science and technology for the Committee's next session.
Draft resolution E would have the General Assembly continue and improve
the Advanced Technology Alert System (ATAS) as an effective means of applying
technology assessment in developing countries. The publication of the ATAS
Bulletin would be continued within existing resources, and the Centre would
serve as the focal point for technological assessment within the United
Nations system and where possible with Governments and non-governmental
organizations. The Secretary-General would be requested to prepare a report
on the Centre's study on ways of assisting developing countries in enhancing
their capacity to assess new technologies.
Action on Draft Resolutions and Report to the Assembly
After the introduction of the draft resolutions by the Committee Vice
Chairman, Torsten Westlund (Sweden), the Committee adopted the texts without a
vote.
Statements After Adoption of Resolutions
C. STEVEN McGANN (United States) said he had joined the consensus on the
draft resolutions in a spirit of co-operation and compromise, but he remained
concerned over issues contained in those resolutions. The United States did
not subscribe to the "specious macro-economic assumptions" given to explain
disparities in science and technology capacity between the industrialized and
developing countries.
He said the Committee should focus on a select number of practical issues
clearly related to the building of endogenous capacity of developing
countries. The Committee's purpose was not just to reaffirm the validity of
the Vienna Programme of Action, a programme which his delegation considered
questionable. The Committee should examine the Programme to determine its
relevance to present conditions, and should also focus on the validity of the
Committee itself. The Committee's work could be handled by the Economic and
Social Council without adversely affecting the Centre's integrity.
BARD HOPLAND (Norway) said he had joined the consensus in a spirit of
co-operation and because of an awareness of the importance of science and
technology in the development process, but he had reservations about the work
of the Fund, which he said should not in any way limit the actions of UNDP.
Referring to the role of the resident co-ordinator as mentioned in resolution
C, he said the financial implications of the resolution would have to be
considered.
Speaking on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries,
HUSSEIN HANIFF (Malaysia) said those countries were facing a host of economic
and social problems as a result of the external debt crisis, declines in
financial assistance and the deterioration of commodity prices, among other
factors. As a result, their science and technology activities had been
constrained. Although compromise was necessary, the texts should have
accorded greater emphasis to the restructuring of international scientific and
technological relations and the provision of increased resources to developing
countries. The Centre should pay particular attention to the possibility of
* Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501)
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