ESCWA Technology Centre Journey 2006-2015
2006: ESCWA prepared a Pre-feasibility Study on Establishment of the ESCWA Technology Centre for Development The ESCWA Ministerial Session adopted Resolution 274 to approve the establishment of the Centre 2007: ESCWA produced The ESCWA Technology Centre for Development, a technical paper assessing regional needs and priorities, examining implementation mechanisms, and laying out the proposed structure for the Centre 2008: ESCWA adopted resolution 284 (XXV) on the establishment of the ESCWA technology centre for development In response to the Executive Secretary request, five countries expressed interest in hosting the ESCWA Technology Centre. 2009: ESCWA delegation visited those five member countries, Resulted in : a) A offered to provide funds, facilities and office space for hosting the Centre. b) B was willing to provide funds and facilities without specific details. c) C offered $1 million for three years to cover office space rental, premises maintenance costs, administration and logistical expenses. d) D welcomed hosting the Centre, providing not incur any expenses. e) E offered to host and participate in funding the Centre, on condition that other member countries share in funding and the weight carried by a participating country in the decision making body is proportional to the amount of funding which that participating country contributed.
2009 Three offers were found to be most viable for hosting the Centre with no apparent pre-conditions,. A questionnaire requesting clarifications and details of their offers. Committee recommended the selection of Jordan as the host country, and the ESCWA Executive Secretary approved that recommendation. 2010: The Statute for ETC was finalized during the ESCWA session and later approved by the UN ECOSOC Host Country Agreement was signed in Dec 2010 ESCWA Technology Centre: Progress
Higher education, R&D, and STI policy Entrepreneurship Technology ICT Market place Development Knowledge, ICT information, and data Innovation management Development, wealth, increased R&D funds, knowledge acquisition and creation, capacitybuilding, etc. ICT, networks, incubators, centres of excellence, etc. Mission To Assist member countries and their public and private organizations to acquire the necessary tools and capabilities to accelerate socio-economic development in order to attain technological parity with other nations and regions. Objectives ESCWA Technology Centre To assist member countries In strengthening their capabilities to develop and manage national systems To assist member countries to develop, transfer, adapt and apply technology To determine the suitable technology for the region and facilitate its development To improve the legal and commercial framework for the transfer of technology To enhance the technological and scientific knowledge content of major economic sectors in member countries 8
HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan Dr. Mohammad Al Amer Jordan President of Royal Scientific Society President of ESCWA TC Board of Governors Bahrain President of the central Informatics Organization Vice President of ESCWA TC Board of Governors Syria Dr. Nour Eldin Obeid Syrian Virtual University Sudan Dr. Mariam Al Emam Undersecretary Ministry of Trade and Foreign Affairs Mr. Imad Naji Dr. Salim Alruzaigi Iraq General Director of Information Technology Central Statistical Oman Chief Executive Officer Information Technology Authority Dr. Mostafa Jarrar Mr. Faleh Al Naemi Palestine Birzeit University Qatar Assistant secretary General Shared services of ICT Dr. Mouin Hamze Lebanon Secretary General National Council for Scientific Research Saudi Arabia Dr. Abdulaziz al swailem Vice President for KACST Dr. Yahya Al-Rewi Yemen President of National Information Center
ESCWA Technology Centre Activities Distribution 2011-2014 Country Organized Meetings Advisory Services Contributions Events Studies Bahrain Egypt 3 3 5 Iraq Jordan 19 4 16 5 Kuwait 1 1 1 Lebanon 6 6 4 1 Libya (member 2013) 1 Morocco (member 2013) 1 2 3 Oman Palestine 1 Qatar 2 3 9 Saudi Arabia 3 The Sudan The Syrian Arab Republic Tunisia (member 2013) 1 1 1 The United Arab Emirates 1 1 3 1 Yemen 2 INTERNATIONAL 1 6 TOTAL Nov11- April15 35 28 48 7 Arab Spring started 2011 ANALYSIS 2011-2014 Substantive: Organized Meetings (27) with relevant partners (14) Selective studies (14), including 6 in kind : Contributions to events (40), including 12 sponsored Arab Countries 8, International 4 Advisory Services (24 requests 6 SPONSORED PONSORED): Arab Countries 12 Facilitated agreements: MOU (2); UN Projects (2); Partnerships (3) Contracts (3); Matching deals (12)
HRH Princess Sumaya Bint El Hassan Dr. Naji Al Mutairi Jordan President of Royal Scientific Society President of ESCWA TC Board of Governors Kuwait General Director of Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research Vice President of ESCWA TC Board of Governors Mr. Abdullah AlShamsi Dr.Shaikha Rana Isa Al Khalifa UAE Assistant Undersecretary for Industry Ministry of Economy Bahrain Assistant Under Secretary for Arab affairs & The Afro-Asian Organizations Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jalali Dr. Eisa Shater Syria Minister of Communications & Technology Sudan Director of Strategic Planning Ministry of Trade and Foreign Affairs Ms. Anwar Buni Dr. Obaid Al Saeedi Iraq General Director of the International Cooperation of Ministry of Planning Oman Director of Programs Department The Research Council Palestine Mr. Mohammad Bader Policy and Strategic Planning Department Ministry of Telecom & Information Technology Qatar Dr. Hamad Al- Ibrahim Executive Vice President for Research and Development Qatar Foundation Dr. Mouin Hamze Dr. Moftah Abu Roqaiah Lebanon Secretary General National Council for Scientific Research Libya Libyan Authority for Research and Science and Technology Ministry of Planning Egypt Dr. Mahmoud Saker President of Scientific Research Academy & Technology Morocco Dr. Abdelhak Mouradi Director of Research & Innovation Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Executive Training Saudi Arabia Dr. Khalid Al Dakkan Director of The Innovation & Industrial Development Institute - KACST Yemen Dr. Yahya Al-Rewi President of National Information Center
ETC RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON ETC EXTERNAL EVALUATION 2015 1.RSS and HCST of Jordan are the major supporter of ETC, as well as the proactive engagement of HRH Prince El Hassan and HRH Princess Sumaya 2.Need multi-annual overarching strategic framework: priorities, action areas, resource allocation and performance indicators 3.Integrate a gender perspective in ETC work and address the gender gap in access to science and technology in the region. 4.More focused and strategic approach to policy areas related to science and technology 5.Revisit outreach strategy towards Member States
ETC RECOMMENDATIONS 6. Develop a systematic mechanism for advisory services from ETC 7. Enhance ETC s ability to address the distinct and sometimes divergent technology challenges faced by Member Countries 8. Revamping of website and the social media tools to promote ETC 9. Sustainability plan: Potential donors alongside with Jordan; Tapping expertise from other Arab institutions like HCST and RSS ETC Learned Lessons Diplomacy For Science Works Despite all! Established Regional Mechanism Intergovernmental Governance Nature of Activities Remained National Sharing best practices platform No regional matchmaking Partnerships Limited superficial PANEL 3 THEME