unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (08/29/89)
sub-programmes included the concept of endogenous capacity-building through
the dialogue process, the issue of co-ordination and harmonization of
activities of the United Nations system in science and technology, and the
Advance Technology Alert System (ATAS). A fourth sub-programme concerned
financing and involved facilitating access to science and technology services,
making use of existing information resources.
Regarding the review of recurrent documents and publications, he said
they included the Update Quarterly and the annual ATAS Bulletin, which might
become bi-annual, depending on the wishes of the Committee and the
availability of resources.
BORIS F. CHUPRIKOV (Soviet Union) said the decreased co-operation with
technological and scientific non-governmental organizations had reduced the
effectiveness of the United Nations in those fields. He sought further
clarification about the new strategy that the Centre was preparing aimed at
making use of non-governmental organizations. Concrete information was also
needed on what that strategy consisted of and if any results had already been
achieved.
Regarding the preparation of the medium-term plan, he said the use of new
techniques eliminated barriers between people and allowed for the sharing of
knowledge. New approaches were required within the United Nations. He
supported the idea that Governments should play an important role in such
matters. If there were a more concrete basis on which to act, Governments
could take more concrete action, particularly in the scientific and
technological fields. The United Nations must provide the stimulus, forum and
intellectual leadership to formulate an economic framework for the development
of all countries in the next decade. The Centre could play an active role by
having its work programme accord with the priorities mentioned in the
Secretariat note on the draft programme for the period 1992-1997.
He emphasised the need to improve co-ordination in order to realize
savings in material resources and to adopt more effective decisions in the
science and technology fields. He supported strengthening co-operation
between the United Nations and govermental and non-governmental
organizations. It was imperative to take steps that would win the support of
the international scientific community. There should be a flexible approach
to the medium-term plan and an improvement in methodology.
KAZUO MINEGAWA (Japan) said the basic thrust of the medium-term plan for
1992-1997 was in line with previous statements by his delegation, and he could
therefore support the draft programme provided there was no expansion of the
budget.
YOUSSEF MORSI MOHAMED HUSSEIN (Egypt) said high priority should be given
to the proposed sub-programme on endogenous capacity-building, specifically in
the areas of science and technology planning and management in developing
countries. Priority should next be given to the ATAS programme and to the
ways and means that developing countries could have access to new technologies
Responding to comments made by various delegations, Mr. Trindade said the
issue of interaction between the medium-term plan and the end-of-decade review
was important. The plan must reflect the wishes of the Committee. He agreed
with the Soviet Union's call for concrete results but said the Committee's
work was related to policy issues and options and resulting actions were the
realm of the United Nations specialized agencies. The Committee could offer
guidance and proposals, but did not have the mandate or resources to implement
them.
Regarding the issue of future co-operation between the Centre and
non-governmental organizations, he said links had been established with the
International Council of Scientific Unions, and also with a number of national
academies of science, especially in the third world. The Centre had
programmes of co-operation with individual countries in areas such as energy
that could have an impact on the development process. Regarding additional
co-operation with the United Nations University, staff exchanges had been
introduced; the Centre also tried to work with the regional commissions. The
Centre always had to be aware of its resource limitations, which were set by
the Committee.
* Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501)
---
Patt Haring | UNITEX : United Nations
patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information
patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange
-=- Every child smiles in the same language. -=-