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Welcome Address by Minister Mosibudi Mangena, at the Knowledge for Africa’s Development Conference
2006-05-08 13:35
Sandton, Johannesburg
Minister
False
Welcome Address By The Minister Of Science And Technology Of The Republic Of South Africa, Mr Mosibudi Mangena, At The Knowledge For Africa’s Development Conference 8 May 2006 Venue: Sandton Mr Chairperson, Minister Massingue and other African Ministers and former Ministers present, Ambassador Tuunanen, World Bank Vice President Leautier, World Bank Vice President Nankani, Dear Colleagues and Friends South Africa is indeed honoured and privileged to host this important Conference in partnership with our colleagues in the World Bank and the Government of Finland. We sincerely value and appreciate the presence and support of all African and international delegates who have travelled from afar to deliberate on the perspectives and challenges of harnessing knowledge for Africa’s development. Indeed, we are honoured to have in our midst today, the Minister of Science and Technology of Mozambique, Dr Vanancio Massingue, his predecessor Professor Brito, Minister Razafinjatovo of Madagascar and former Minister Ndoye from Senegal, as well as a number of leading experts in African science and education. The high premium that my Government places on this conference is demonstrated by the participation of three South African cabinet ministers, three Directors-General and their senior officials. Generating knowledge and applying its results to fight poverty and promote sustainable development is a central pillar of my mandate as Minister of Science and Technology. I, therefore, look forward to the deliberations of the next three days, but more especially, to opportunities for learning and experience sharing. In recent years, the global debate on the role of knowledge and the place of key development drivers such as innovation, education and ICTs in the modern society have assumed greater urgency. You will recall that less than four years ago, world leaders assembled in this city to pledge their commitment to the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development. That Plan called for a concerted global effort to invest in and optimally harness knowledge generation and innovation to advance sustainable development. Since 2002, the spirit of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation that emanated from the WSSD, has found expression in different international and regional initiatives. The results of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) speak directly to some of its key tenets. We also witnessed the adoption by the African Ministerial Council on Science and Technology in 2005, of Africa’s Consolidated Science and Technology Plan of Action, which embodies a watershed continental commitment to sustainable growth and development. At a practical level, other examples include global partnership initiatives such as the work by the Group on Earth Observation (GEO) to enhance the ability of countries to use Earth observation data and information products to inform science-based decision- and policy-making. Significant work has, for example, also been accomplished in fostering a global science compact to fight poverty-related communicable diseases. Other international platforms such as the OECD, the Non-Aligned Movement, the G77 and the G8, have also considered the vital interface between knowledge and development. We, therefore, need to ensure that harnessing the power of international discourse on the imperatives of modern global development becomes one of our key preoccupations over the next three days. Similarly, broadening and deepening Africa’s agenda for sustainable growth and development through knowledge and innovation should constitute one of our goals. In this respect, this conference should also focus at achieving the following:
With regard to the first suggestion, there is of course, already a vibrant African policy dialogue in continental forums such as the African Ministerial Council on Science and Technology (AMCOST), as well as in corresponding entities responsible for education and the information society. However, the value that this conference can add is by bringing together the critical actors from these entities in order to facilitate a dialogue on the many cross-cutting issues. A key cross-cutter is human capital development. We have to ensure that Africa has the necessary skills base to make knowledge work for development. Effective interventions to deal with the many challenges related to education and training, including, for example, issues such as skills retention, cannot be developed through isolated sectoral strategies. It is, therefore, my hope that this conference will place the necessary emphasis on the need for greater integrative decision and policy-making approaches and strategies as fundamental conditions for the transition to the knowledge economy. Similarly, issues related to innovation, and improving Africa’s ability to translate research outputs into effective interventions for social development and economic growth, also call for a multi-disciplinary approach. Thus, it would be most valuable if this Conference could, accordingly, stimulate stronger industrial and business contributions to the knowledge for development agenda. We also need to look at enhancing the innovation capacities of local communities, especially in poverty-stricken rural areas. I am pleased to note that a dedicated workshop, organized by our colleagues at the Tshwane University of Technology, which will consider how knowledge and technology can support innovation and learning in communities, will be held as an immediate follow-up event on Thursday. I shall now turn to the second focus area, namely, using the conference as a platform to leverage international resources to support knowledge and innovation capacities in Africa. Since the emergence of the new global consensus on the role played by science and technology for development, it is not unusual for development cooperation funding to be allocated to knowledge and innovation activities. This new development perspective has resulted in a number of new science and technology oriented programmes being considered by our international partners, including donor countries and International Financial Institutions. The conclusions of the 2005 Commission for Africa Report, and the various G8 Summit Declarations, for example, recommend substantial support to African science and technology. This is also echoed by the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), the EU’s Africa Strategy and China’s White Paper on Engagement with Africa. A promising start has therefore been made, including institutional developments such as the appointment of science advisors by major donor agencies. Needless to say, much more could still be done. A substantial effort is still required to ensure science and technology is mainstreamed as part of all major development, cooperation and aid programmes. We hope that our deliberations will inform international donor strategies on knowledge for development. There is no doubt that progress towards achieving targets such as the Millennium Development Goals, will only be realised through substantial investment in the growth of the knowledge economy. Innovative and new partnership models, involving international financial institutions such as the World Bank, will therefore be imperative. Donor support is, of course, not the only possible funding source. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Report of 2005 rightly highlights the allocation, by multinational companies, of R&D activities in developing countries as a major emerging investment trend. Sadly, very few of these investments are currently directed at Africa. Undoubtedly, this Conference can significantly contribute towards our understanding of the drivers for science and technology investment in Africa. Africa has a major role in creating an enabling environment for such investment, but a critical discussion and analysis of the dynamics are required, which the Conference can certainly provide. In respect of mapping out new partnership modalities, these will be informed, in the first instance, by the policy dialogue and funding instruments already discussed. The need for establishing mutually beneficial partnerships with Africa derive both from the substantial assistance and cooperation it seeks, and the huge and embedded natural and intellectual resources that Africa can provide. The global knowledge economy, which has a potential to lead to sustainable peace and prosperity, will only thrive if it encompasses all regions of the world. Therefore, Africa needs to become a full and active partner in multilateral forums and strong bilateral relations. Africa currently produces approximately 1% of new knowledge generation globally; it needs to be connected to the other 99% of international activities. However, Africa also has huge competitive advantages which could and should be harnessed through strategic partnerships, smart policy choices and the development niche areas of excellence. But, in all good partnerships, both sides should be equal drivers, and at all times, all sides should be confident of mutual benefit. Therein lie the elements of sustainability. The knowledge economy is high on Africa’s agenda. There is a move on the continent, led jointly by AMCOST and the Office of the AU Commissioner for Science and Technology, to dedicate the theme of innovation, science and technology, and their important role in catalysing Africa’s development agenda, to the January 2007 African Union Summit. The importance of partnership cannot be overstated. There is no doubt that this conference will further enrich the global partnership dialogue. It is, therefore, appropriate to conclude this address by speaking to the theme of partnership. We are deeply indebted to our organising partners in this event - the World Bank and the Government of Finland. Indeed, our collaboration epitomises the committed and mutually beneficial cooperation required to enhance the knowledge for development agenda. Deepening our partnership with the World Bank can only enhance and complement our activities as smart knowledge partners. The organisation of the Conference has certainly highlighted the potential for this engagement, which I will be exploring further with Dr Leautier over the coming days. The organisation of the Conference is yet another example of a very fruitful cooperation enjoyed by South Africa with Finland in the domains of knowledge and innovation. Ambassador Tuunanen – we remain most grateful for your country’s friendship and support. The participation here today by a number of countries and institutions bears testimony to an already extensive partnership that Africa enjoys and wants to build on. Dear Colleagues and Friends, it is on this optimistic note, which is encouraged by my confidence in the important contribution our deliberations over the coming days will make, that I wish to conclude. I wish all delegates a rich and engaging event, and a most pleasant stay in South Africa. I hope our future interaction and cooperation will grow from strength to strength. I thank you. |
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