23 May 2014 – “Science, technology and innovation (STI) should be harnessed by creating value from available resources and by leveraging new and fresh approaches or strategies in implementing STI programs.” This was stressed by Department of Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo at the 17th Session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) held in Geneva, Switzerland.
In the Ministerial round table on “Science, technology and innovation for the post-2015 development agenda,” Secretary Montejo pointed out that the Philippines is developing its local capacity in disaster management through STI. He cited the Disaster Risk, Exposure and Assessment for Mitigation (DREAM) Program, which created a large pool of highly skilled and trained flood mapping experts who have taken their knowledge to build further applications.
Secretary Montejo noted that the Philippines recognizes the strategic role of STI in the country’s development, and stated that STI should be embedded as a cross-cutting theme of the post-2015 development agenda.
In another Ministerial round table on “Progress made in the implementation of and follow up to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) outcomes,” DOST Undersecretary Louis Napoleon Casambre emphasized that partnership among national and local government units, telecommunications service providers, technology providers and the civil society is the key towards creating an enabling environment to foster the use of ICT for development. He cited the TV White Space (TVWS) pilot projects which have connected schools, hospitals, communities and local governments, and saved lives in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
Undersecretary Casambre further stated that a sound Internet Governance Framework based on international and regional cooperation is necessary for the preservation of values and culture, as well as protection against cyber-threats. He commended the CSTD for its continuing efforts to promote and enhance the multi-stakeholder process of cooperation and dialogue to pursue the action lines and recommendations and progress made on WSIS outcomes.
The 17th Session of the Commission was convened in Geneva from May 12 to 16 and adopted resolutions on science, technology and innovation for development, and on the progress made in the implementation of WSIS outcomes. The resolutions will be submitted to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations General Assembly for their consideration.
The Commission on Science and Technology for Development is a subsidiary body of the ECOSOC. It provides ECOSOC and the General Assembly with advice on science and technology issues.
The Philippines is one of the 43 members of the Commission. END