Arab states approved science and technology plan of action

Wagdy Sawahel

Date: 25 January 2009

Source: science development network (www.sciencedev.net)

Arab leaders have approved science and technology plan of action (STPA) in a bid to develop knowledge-based economy, according to Kuwait declaration.

STPA approved by the 22 member nations of the Arab League at the first Arab economic and social development summit held in Kuwait in the period from 19-20 January

Higher education experts and science and technology (S&T) specialists from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia among others prepared STPA in cooperation with the Tunisia-based Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Mustafa El Tayeb, Director of the Division for Science Policy & Sustainable Development at UNESCO, told scidev.net that the Organization lead the effort for the preparation of STPA in response to a call from the Arab Ministers of Higher Education.

"Now, the UNECSO and Arab Leagues shall work out the modalities of the implementation of the STAP", El Tayeb said.

El Tayeb added that STAP is an attempt to propose a mechanism for the implementation of the various regional S, T and innovation policies and strategies adopted by the various Arab league Summits in abid to build the golden triangle of science advancement, namely, higher education, research and development and innovation

Under the plan, an Arab League Council of Ministers of Science & Technology similar to the one on Higher Education will be established and a stable funding mechanism will be set up, El Tayeb pointed out.

The initial stage of STAP includes setting up a network of S&T excellence centers in the Arab world for promoting interactive approaches to encourage excellence and innovation. The network will use selected outstanding scientific and technological institutions in the Arab states as regional hubs for facilitating cooperation through joint research projects as well as promoting learning and training through organising training programmes.

STPA identifies water, food, agriculture and energy as priority areas.

Besides promoting links within the Arab scientific community and strengthening the mobility of scientists within arab states, the STAP includes a programme for promoting collaborative research and innovation activities with Arab scientists living abroad.

In abid to monitor and analysis scientific and technological developments and their relation and interaction with Arab society, Arab S&T observatory will also be established.

To make sure that the plan is implemented, a progress report will be prepared by ALECSO and presented at the second Arab economic and social development summit due to be held in 2011 in Cairo, Egypt.

Related links

Kuwait declaration (in Arabic)

Tunisia-based Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO)

UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).