innovation adopted in the region meeting
7 July 2006
We, Ministers responsible for science, technology and innovation in the
South African Development Community (SADC) region meeting under the auspices of
the SADC Secretariat on 7 July 2006 in Pretoria, South Africa.
Recalling the resolution that we adopted in our meeting in Maputo in
December 2005.
Building upon the decisions that we took in Harare in April 2006 towards
consolidating co-operation in science, technology and innovation in the SADC
region.
Convinced of the critical role of science, technology and innovation in
realising the social and economic development priorities of the SADC agenda and
the Regional Indicative Strategic Plan (RISP).
Hereby declare our decision to:
1. Promote science, technology and innovation as a critical crosscutting
programme within SADC in support of the regional development objectives.
2. Formulate, adopt and enter into force within a period of one year, a SADC
protocol for science, technology and innovation as a binding instrument to
regulate our collaborative initiatives in the region to support the
implementation of the SADC RISDP and the Africaâs science and technology
Consolidated Plan of Action.
3. Constitute ourselves at the conclusion of the said protocol as a Standing
Ministerial Committee that will meet regularly to exercise political oversight
to the implementation of regional science, technology and innovation
initiatives under the auspices of the SADC Secretariat.
4. Pursue the establishment of a dedicated and properly resourced science,
technology and innovation unit within the SADC Secretariat, guided by the SADC
Council decision of February 2006, in accordance with the terms of reference
for such a unit as adopted at this meeting.
5. Request the SADC Secretariat in collaboration with partners including the
African Union (AU) Commission and New Partnership for Africaâs Development
(NEPAD) Secretariat, to effectively co-ordinate the implementation of these
initiatives including the mobilization of financial and technical
resources.
6. Engage our heads of State and government to promote at every opportunity
the critical role of science, technology and innovation for regional
development, particularly at the SADC Summit of August 2006.
7. Assist the SADC Secretariat, as an interim measure to co-ordinate
science, technology and innovation initiatives until a permanent unit is
established.
8. We express our gratitude to the Minister of Science and Technology,
honourable Mosibudi Mangena, of the Republic of South Africa for the warm
hospitality and excellent arrangements for this meeting.
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
7 July 2006
