23 August 2006
South Africa's Department of Science and Technology (DST), the current chair
of Group of 77 (G 77) will host the G 77 Ministerial meeting on the margins of
the 10th general conference and 17th general meeting of the Academy of Sciences
for the Developing World, the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and the
9th general assembly of the Third World Network of Scientific Organisations in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 3 September 2006. The G 77 Science and Technology
meeting will be held under the theme "Challenges and strategies for science and
technology in developing countries".
The purpose of the meeting is to share knowledge, experience and the best
practice and to propose strategies that will empower developing countries to
employ science and technology as tools for social and economic development. The
Ministerial meeting is the supreme decision-making body of the G 77.
The G 77, in collaboration with the TWAS will also present the first G 77
award for science, technology and innovation to a distinguished physical
scientist, Dr Prieto for his devotion to the research and development of
materials science and electronic devices. The award was established by the
first South Summit held in Havana in 2000 to recognise and honour individual
scientists, technologists and innovators for developing countries who have made
outstanding contributions in their respective fields.
TWAS members, ministers of science and technology, presidents of science
academies and research councils as well as the representatives of international
organisations from the south and north are invited to attend. The South African
delegation attending the G 77 Ministerial meeting will include representatives
from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the National
Research Council (NRF).
The expected outcome of the meeting will include a set of recommendations
and commitments to identified strategies and initiatives towards effective
science and technology systems.
Enquiries:
Nthabi Maoela
Tel: (012) 843 6780
Cell: 073 648 2876
E-mail: nthabiseng.maoela@dst.gov.za
Mmampei Mabusela
Tel: (012) 843 6394
Cell: 082 944 0000
E-mail: mmampei.mabusela@dst.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
23 August 2006
Source: SAPA
