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International Science and Technology Workshop Tackles Environmental Issues as Part of Development Agenda

23 November 2005

Rustenburg, South Africa - Over 150 delegates representing 31 countries met at Pilansberg on 21 and 22 November 2005 for a joint two-day workshop hosted by the Department of Science and Technology in conjunction with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The workshop, under the theme of International Scientific and Technological Cooperation for Sustainable Development, was aimed at exploring best practice in international science and technology cooperation in order to give impetus to bridging the science and technology divide between the developing and the developed world.

In his opening address, Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena, highlighted the centrality of water and energy service delivery to the goals of sustainable development: “This gathering is critical for the developing world which is still grappling with providing its citizens with basic needs and access to water, sustainable energy sources and housing”. Workshop delegates explored in great detail the essential role of science and technology in generating solutions to developmental and environmental challenges. In line with this, the following issues were addressed:

• Effective science and technology capacity building in developing countries;
• Facilitating knowledge and technology transfer and partnerships;
• Developing knowledge infrastructure and networks of science and innovation for sustainable development;
• Technology that best meets the needs of developing countries, particularly in areas of water and energy efficiency; and
• Indicators and criteria for good practice in science and technology.

Interventions identified for effective water management included:

• Developing and strengthening human and institutional capacities;
• Expanding and improving wastewater treatment and reuse;
• Development and transfer of low-cost technologies for safe water supply and treatment;
• Establishing and strengthening national monitoring systems on quality, quantity and use of surface and ground water resources.

The workshop further identified the following interventions relating to energy efficiency:

• Development and implementation of energy efficiency policies;
• Effective marketing of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies;
• Effective labeling of appliances (in terms of energy use);
• Effective monitoring and evaluation of energy efficient strategies and policies;
• Setting of targets for energy efficiency; and
• Diversification of sources from which energy is derived (e.g. hydro, nuclear, solar, and wind).

The South African government subscribes to the principles of international cooperation as the nature of innovation, science and technology is deemed collaborative and in need of constant dialogue. Through science collaboration and partnership with the OECD, South Africa has made extensive use of OECD publications, including best practice guidelines, science and technology indicators and working documents which have also informed the development of the country’s National System of Innovation (NSI) since 1994. A case in point is the development of South Africa’s Science and Technology indicators, which have now become part of the official national statistics reporting system.

Contact (Ministry): Nelvis Qekema
Cell: 082 571 2571
Contact (Communication): Nthabi Maoela
Cell: 073 648 2876