Expectations on the Academy Development Initiative Webinar on Role of Academies of Sciences in Africa

Statement by Mr. Joshua Setipa, Managing Director

29 July 2021, Turkey

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to be on this webinar and reconnect with you. Since the last time we interacted especially with the lead academies, there have been a number of developments in supporting academies of sciences in Africa.

In 2020, the Technology Bank and NASAC partnered to support LDCs to establish and support existing academies that resulted in launches of academies in Angola, Lesotho, DRC and Malawi. More are planned during this year of which the Champions are present today.

It is critical at this juncture to highlight the importance of ensuring that all newly established academies of sciences must be registered as legal entities, must maintain independence as well as be able to mobilize resources that will make them sustainable. The launch is the first of many milestones which are more challenging and require political and financial commitment.

COVID19 pandemic made 2020 unprecedented, disrupting every fiber of mankind but it was through science that a breakthrough was reached in the development of the COVID19 vaccines. It is not for me to preach to the converted that science is driver of sustainable development and is applicable in all that we do.

The purpose of this webinar as articulated in the agenda is to explore collaboration amongst the academies of sciences especially how newly established academies of sciences can be supported and mentored by leading academies. It is the view of Technology Bank and NASAC to make these webinars regular to provide a platform for engagement amongst the academies, encourage active participation and share experiences towards providing evidence-based advice to policymakers.

I take this opportunity to also articulate some ideas and recommendations that can enhance the role of academies of sciences in Africa as follows:

1. Facilitating engagement of policymakers with science academies in an open and inclusive manner that will ensure that evidence informs policy formulation, implementation, and review.
2. Create opportunities that bring scientists and policymakers together including seconding and inviting scientists into the policy making institutions like Parliaments and specific government departments through Masters and PhD fellowships.
3. Establish programmes that engage the scientists in the diaspora is essential for small countries like Lesotho for example. This should be coupled with the development of science policy leadership in all countries.
4. Strengthen cooperation between senior academies and female and young, scientists. Young academies can be effective in engaging with universities, schools, and the public. Established academies should also work with new academies by taking advantage of the bilateral cooperation between countries and some multilateral bodies like the Regional Economic Communities and the African Union.

From the perspective of the Technology Bank, we also place priority on promoting Science diplomacy and leveraging the multilateral system in the use of diplomatic actions to further scientific and technological progress as well as in providing advice to inform and support foreign policy objectives.

Science diplomacy will facilitate dialogue on the implications of rapid technological developments that can be disruptive (good and bad) to societies in order to maximize the benefits and minimize the negative consequences and threats from technological advances (e.g., AI, gene editing, synthetic biology, robotics, big data, blockchain, social media, etc.).

Science diplomacy will also accelerate progress on the global goals, especially the global environmental goals (climate, oceans, biodiversity), to safeguard the planet and help countries understand and commit to their share of global responsibilities.

Enhancing STI capacity in developing and emerging economies in the UN Technology Facilitation Mechanism initiative on “STI for SDGs roadmaps” is a viable vehicle for a number of countries.

Lasty, I wish you a productive meeting and would not close without, informing you that the Fifth Conference for the Least Developed Countries will be held in January 2022 and that they First Africa Science Festival to be organized by the African Union.

I thank you.