16 May 2019

Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology Mr Thapelo Olopeng has lobbied for Botswana to be elected to the chairmanship of the Bureau of the 23^rd Commission of Science Technology for Development Session.

Minister Olopeng, who is attending the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (UNCSTD) Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, said the reasons for Botswana’s proposal to be elected chair was, among others, to ensure continuity of Africa’s representation in the Bureau.

Further, he said electing Botswana would be advantageous as the country was within reach since it had permanent residence in Geneva.

In addition, he said that  one of the country’s strengths was that it held consultation in high regard as espoused in the kgotla system, which posited a people-centred approach.

Mr Olopeng said Botswana was receptive to development as it became trendsetter for the UNESCO Global Observatory on Science Policies and Instruments.

He said in the continent, Botswana was an active member of the AU and participated in NEPAD programmes such the Africa Science Technology and Innovation Indicators and was one of the 15 partners in the Science Granting Council Initiative for Sub-Saharan Africa (SGCI), whose aim was to capacitate science funders on effective research management, partnerships and collaborations and science engagement.

The minister also indicated that Botswana was outward-looking and had bilateral relations with most countries and the world.

In addition, the minister said it was important that Africa was having a conversation of how the continent could better have a coordinated approach to the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD).

He said the CSTD created a platform for member states to examine science and technology questions and their implications for development and also to advance understanding on science and technology policies, particularly in respect of developing countries.

Furthermore, he said the commission formulated recommendations and guidelines on science and technology matters within the UN system.

He said Africa was generally trailing behind the world, hence the continent needed to reflect on the three agenda items, which included the Role of Science, Technology and Innovation in empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality; the impact of rapid technological change on sustainable development; and how to contribute to the direction of discussions of the 23^rd Session of the CSTD in terms of selection of themes.

Moreover, Mr Olopeng said African governments needed to take deliberate strategies to improve the countries’ regulatory frameworks that would enable knowledge-led societies, most specifically in the two policy areas of industry and science.

Also, he noted that the continent must foster the relevant skills and capacity for a scientific and creative culture to be established and grow faster as well as to design efficient partnerships, continentally and internationally. ENDs