This is the third meeting of the Conference on Science, Innovation and Information and Communication Technologies, organized in a hybrid way by ECLAC and the Government of Argentina
Countries of the region reaffirmed this week their commitment to science, innovation and new technologies, highlighting the role that these have in the post-pandemic recovery, and advocated for a more active and systemic role of innovation and knowledge in the policies of economic, productive, social and environmental development of Latin America and the Caribbean, at the close of the third meeting of the Conference on Science, Innovation and Information and Communication Technologies, organized in a hybrid way by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribe (Cepal) and the Government of Argentina; This was announced by ECLAC through a press release.
Although in several countries of the region progress has been made in the constitution of a more robust institutional framework on science, technology and innovation, with the creation of specific ministries or the strengthening of specialized institutions in the matter, it has not yet been observed that science , technology and innovation play a more active role in economic, productive and social development policies, which is related to the meager levels of technical change and low levels of productivity, indicates the Declaration of Buenos Aires approved this Wednesday.
During the meeting, in which 21 ECLAC member states and seven associate states participated, the biennial program of cooperation activities in science, innovation and information and communication technologies 2022-2023 was approved, which considers as main objectives to strengthen public institutions to support the development of science, technology and innovation; improve the linkage of science, technology and innovation policies with the strategic challenges of the region, and promote regional and international cooperation.
To achieve these objectives, it was agreed to carry out a series of activities, political and technical meetings, substantive studies and technical assistance activities, with a focus on the exchange of information, experiences and good practices.
At the opening of the event, Alicia Bárcena, ECLAC’s executive secretary, highlighted that science, technology and innovation (STI) have been essential for managing the health crisis, but are also essential for a transformative recovery in Latin America and the Caribbean.
In this framework, Bárcena highlighted the importance of regional integration and cooperation to close the growing asymmetries between the developed world and developing countries in access to vaccines, concentration of wealth and income, digital economy and climate responsibilities. those that threaten to escalate.
The closing day included a round table with the participation of Diego Hurtado, Secretary of Planning and Policies in Science, Technology and Innovation of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Argentina; Paola Vega Castillo, Minister of Science, Innovation, Technology and Telecommunications of Costa Rica; Marc Litvine, from the General Directorate of International Associations (INTPA) of the European Commission; Armstrong Alexis, Deputy Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (Caricom); and Efraín Guadarrama, director general of Regional American Organizations and Mechanisms of the Secretariat of Foreign Relations of Mexico, in the exercise of the pro tempore Presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac).
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