World’s least developed countries to benefit from Turkish expertise and support through UN Technology Bank

Gebze - Turkey will provide increased specialist expertise and support to the newly established Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries. As the first official visitor from the Turkish Government, Mr. Naci Ağbal, President of the Presidency of Strategy and Budget, reinforced Turkey’s commitment to the Technology Bank this week, highlighting Turkey’s role as champion for the world’s poorest nations.

“As part of our international development cooperation understanding, we give importance to addressing the needs of the Least Developed Countries and we are proud of hosting UN Technology Bank. We are dedicated to continue the support which started from the beginning of the establishment process,” said Mr. Ağbal.

Mr. Ağbal and his delegation were met in Gebze by Mr. Joshua Setipa, Managing Director of the Technology Bank and his team, to discuss ways forward for the bank and to exchange ideas on future partnerships and resource mobilization.

“It is fitting that Mr. Ağbal and his team are the first high-level visitors we have received at the Technology Bank since it was inaugurated last year. Turkey is a key strategic partner and their generous support is helping to ensure that the world’s least developed countries gain much needed access to science, technology and innovation,” said Mr. Setipa.

Turkey has reaffirmed its commitment to support the Technology Bank as it works with least developed countries to utilise critical technologies for sustainable development and achievement of the 2030 Agenda. The Bank will also facilitate professional exchanges between Turkish scientific institutions and their counterparts in the least developed countries.

As the first UN entity to be headquartered in Turkey, the premises of the Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries were inaugurated in Gebze in 2018. The Bank champions better access to science, technology and innovation for the world’s least developed nations. It identifies and safeguards knowledge, builds partnerships and acts as a gateway for research, technological solutions and training. 

The establishment and full operationalization of the Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries in 2018, is the first UN Sustainable Development Goal target, (17.8), to be achieved, speaking directly to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s principle of leaving no one behind.

The Bank is financed by voluntary contributions and Turkey has committed to support the Banks resource mobilization programme to secure additional resources from state and non-state actors in all UN members.

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