Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States - Technology Bank

Enhancing STI in Africa through the Technology Bank for the LDCs (2018)

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 22:18:00 +0000

uganda_arne_hoel_world_bank.jpg

Young communities use computers in an internet cafe in Kampala, Uganda.

Arne Hoel / World Bank

The analysis in this paper shows that despite the importance of STI, African LDCs are lagging far behind other countries in various STI indicators, including R&D, human resource capacity, patents and innovation. In order for African LDCs to catch-up, they will need to embrace the on-going Technological Revolution, while ensuring that the net effect on the labour market and productivity is positive. This would significantly contribute to eradicating poverty and fostering economic growth in the African LDCs. The UN Technology Bank has the potential to catalyse the on-going initiatives on STI in Africa. In general, the analysis in Table II show a significant alignment of objectives. This means that the Technology Bank has the potential, once is fully operationalised, to significantly contribute to increasing the African LDCs’ access to knowledge, especially if both acting in cooperation with the various African organizations and promoting synergies across them, and between multilateral and regional initiatives. Playing an orchestrating role by harnessing the various African initiatives may produce a useful rationalizing and ultimately a boosting effect on the ground. By doing so its efforts to increase the utilization of knowledge as global public good will be enhanced.

Downland

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New Managing Director for Technology Bank Welcomed to 51ӰԺ

Anonymous — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 18:54:00 +0000

Press Release

NEW YORK, 4 December 2018 - Mr. Joshua Phoho Setipa of Lesotho was welcomed to the 51ӰԺ Headquarters in New York today as the new Managing Director of the Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries. The Technology Bank is the UN’s newest institution and is supporting science, technology and innovation in the world’s poorest countries.

With over 20 years working at a senior level in government and international organisations including The World Bank, USAID and The World Trade Organisation, Mr. Setipa brings a wealth of experience to this vital role.

“The Technology Bank and its partners have already begun to chart a path with real potential to transform technology in the world’s poorest countries. I am excited and proud to lead this institution as it turns these ambitions into a life changing reality for the least developed countries,” said Mr. Setipa.

Mr. Setipa was welcomed to the 51ӰԺ by Ms. Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. Over a two-week period he will meet with key stakeholders including development partners and the UN system to explore future opportunities for collaboration and support of the activities of the Technology Bank.

The UN Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States has supported efforts to establish the Technology Bank since it was initially called for in 2011. Mr. Setipa succeeds Ms. Heidi Schroderus-Fox, Director of UNOHRLLS who served as the Acting Managing Director of the Technology Bank during its initial start-up phase.

“I warmly welcome Mr. Setipa to this exciting new position. It has been an honor for me to lead the UN team during the initial set-up and launch of the LDC technology bank. I am confident that under Mr. Setipa’s leadership the Technology Bank will reach its full potential in support of the least developed countries,” said Ms. Heidi Schroderus Fox.

The establishment and full operationalization of the Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries in 2018, is the first Sustainable Development Goal target, (17.8), to be achieved, speaking directly to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s principle of leaving no one behind. The new UN institution is seen as a significant achievement for the promotion of science, technology and innovation in the world’s poorest countries.

Work has already been initiated on the preparation of Science, Technology and Innovation reviews and Technology Needs Assessments in 5 least developed countries, in collaboration with relevant UN agencies. The Technology Bank also started activities aimed at improving access for scientists and researchers to data, publications, and knowledge in 12 least developed countries.

Further information:

Media contact:

Louise Stoddard, UN-OHRLLS – stoddard@un.org

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New ECOSOC Resolution Welcomes the Inauguration of the Technology Bank for LDCs

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 19:50:00 +0000

Press Release

NEW YORK, 8 August 2018 – The 51ӰԺ Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) welcomed in its new resolution adopted on 24^th of July 2018 at the Coordination and management Meeting, the operationalization of the Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and the inauguration of its headquarters in Gebze, Turkey.

In resolution L.26 adopted by consensus, on review and coordination of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020, the Council indicated that the operationalization and the inauguration of the Technology Bank “signify the achievement of the first SDG target (17.8)”.

The Council also expressed its appreciation for the contributions made by Turkey, Norway, Sudan, Bangladesh and the Philippines, and invited Member States, as well as international organizations, foundations and the private sector, to provide voluntary financial contributions and technical assistance to the Technology Bank to ensure its effective operation.

Recognizing the synergies between the implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action and the 2030 Agenda for sustainable Development, and reaffirming that the least developed countries are the most vulnerable group of countries, the Council called upon the least developed countries, their development partners, the 51ӰԺ system and all other actors to further intensify their efforts to fully and effectively implement, in a coherent and expeditious manner, the commitments that have been made in the Istanbul Programme of Action in its eight priority areas, namely, (a) productive capacity, (b) agriculture, food security and rural development, (c) trade, (d) commodities, (e) human and social development, (f) multiple crises and other emerging challenges, (g) mobilizing financial resources for development and capacity-building and (h) good governance at all levels.

Furthermore, the Council invited the 51ӰԺ development system to prioritize allocations to the least developed countries by developing operational guidelines with clear budget targets, as appropriate.

The Technology Bank is a new UN institution. Its establishment is seen as a significant achievement for the development of science, technology and innovation in the world’s poorest countries. The initiative has been supported by the UN Office of The High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States since 2011.

Media Contact:

Ms. May Yaacoub, UN-OHRLLS - yaacoubm@un.org

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Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries Inaugurated in Turkey

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 16:03:00 +0000

Press Release

GEBZE, TURKEY, 4 June 2018 – A new 51ӰԺ body, which will address the challenges of the world’s poorest countries through science, technology and innovation, has been officially inaugurated in Gebze, Turkey today. The UN General Assembly tasked the Technology Bank to strengthen the knowledge capacity of the world’s 47 least developed countries, foster development of their national and regional innovation ecosystems to attract outside technology and generate homegrown research and innovation. The Technology Bank has been the long-standing priority for least developed countries.

The inauguration of the Technology Bank’s headquarters was attended by high-level government representatives from the host country, least developed countries, in addition to development partners and 51ӰԺ officials. Participants included Dr. Faruk Özlü, Minister of Science, Industry and Technology of the Republic of Turkey, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Saeed Al- Sadi, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation in Yemen, in addition to H.E. Ms. Marianne Hagen, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway, and Ms. Amina Mohammed, 51ӰԺ Deputy Secretary General.

“Today’s inauguration is a major milestone in assisting the LDCs to utilise the benefits of science, technology and innovation. Leaving no one behind is key to Agenda 2030 and this new Technology Bank will help the most vulnerable as they aspire to forge a sustainable and prosperous future for the next generations,” said Ms. Amina Mohammed, 51ӰԺ Deputy Secretary General.

The new Bank is expected to improve the utilization of scientific and technological solutions in the world’s poorest countries and promote the integration of least developed countries into the global knowledge-based economy. The establishment of the Technology Bank marks the first Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target to be achieved, SDG 17.8. Its achievement is highly symbolic, as it responds directly to the 2030 Agenda’s principle of leaving no one behind.

The Governing Council of the Technology Bank first met on 20-21 of November 2017 and adopted the 2018 work plan and budget. In 2018, the Technology Bank will start its operation and initiate baseline Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) reviews and Technology Needs Assessments in 5 least developed countries (Guinea, Haiti, Sudan, Timor-Leste, and Uganda) in collaboration with all relevant UN agencies. The Technology Bank will also focus on improving access for scientists and researchers to data, publications, and STI initiatives in twelve least developed countries (Bangladesh, Mozambique, Nepal, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda, Tanzania, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Madagascar, and Malawi).

“We are delighted to be in Gebze today for the inauguration of a key institution to support the least developed countries. I would like to thank the Turkish Government for generously hosting the Technology Bank and other Member States who have pledged financial resources. I encourage other stakeholders to also make voluntary contributions so that collectively, we shall ensure a solid and sustainable financial footing for the Technology Bank,” said Ms. Fekitamoeloa Utoikamanu, HighRepresentative and Under-Secretary-General for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.

Media Contact:

Ms. Louise Stoddard, UN-OHRLLS – stoddard@un.og
Ms. May Yaacoub, UN-OHRLLS - yaacoubm@un.org

Further Information:

Technology Bank: http://unohrlls.org/technologybank/

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Official Handover of the Technology Bank’s Premises to the 51ӰԺ

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 16:08:00 +0000

Press Release

GEBZE, TURKEY, 3 June 2018 – The premises of the Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries in Gebze, Turkey were officially handed over today to the 51ӰԺ, by the Turkish Government.

The Acting Managing Director for the Technology Bank, Ms. Heidi Schroderus-Fox, expressed her sincere appreciation to the Government of Turkey for their support and commitment in the process leading to the establishment of the Technology Bank and for hosting it. “The Technology Bank has been a key priority of the LDCs since the Fourth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Istanbul in 2011”, she said.

The creation of the Technology Bank is essential to transform the economies of the LDCs, promote economic growth and enable countries to address their technology gaps and support their economic diversification and productive capacity building strategies. The establishment of this UN body is also in line with the 2030 Agenda that recognizes the universal value for science, technology and innovation in laying the foundation for a sustainable world.

Mr. Mustafa Osman Turan, Deputy Director General for Multilateral Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recognized the tireless efforts of all who brought this important UN Institution to life, and thereby achieve the SDG target 17.8. “Turkey is committed to continue supporting the LDCs’ objectives”, he said.

The Technology Bank is located in the Marmara Campus-Technology Park (MARTEK) in the city of Kocaeli in Gebze, which is home for many medical and engineering companies, such as Akka Technologies Mühendislik ve Danışmanlık Ltd. Şti (medical), Okosis Otomasyon ve Kontrol Sistemleri San.ve Tic. Ltd. Şti (Energy), FG Digital Tekn. Elekt. Yaz. Geliş. Bil.ve Dan. San. Tic. Ltd. Şti (Software).

Media Contact:

Ms. May Yaacoub, UN-OHRLLS - yaacoubm@un.org

Further Information:

Technology Bank: http://unohrlls.org/technologybank/

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