First Bureau Meeting of the Fourth African Ministerial Conference on Science and Technology (AMCOST IV)
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 29, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The First Bureau Meeting of the fourth African Ministerial Conference on Science and Technology (AMCOST IV) began today, Monday 28 May 2012 at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The purpose of the meeting is to allow the senior officials prepare for the ministerial meeting of the bureau and also to monitor the implementation of the programme of work that has been endorsed.
As stated by Mrs. Vera Brenda Ngosi, Director for Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology at the AU Commission, the agenda will guide the steering committee's deliberations and will provide an opportunity to take stock of what the steering committee is collectively doing in the implementation of Africa's Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA) and the decisions of AMCOST and the AU Assembly.
“Science and Technology should effectively respond to our national, regional and continental priorities, to trigger socio-economic transformation of our countries. Our interventions should prompt Africa's integration process, intra-Africa cooperation, and human and institutional development among others” the Director said.
The meeting is a platform for sharing experiences with Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and other key regional and multilateral institutions and strategizing for Africa's science agenda. The agenda mainly covers the African Union research grants, Linking Higher Education and Research in Africa through the Pan African University, Consolidated Plan of Action Review, and the establishment of an African Observatory for Science and Technology and Innovation. The committee will also review the format of organization of future AMCOST meetings.
Taking the floor, Prof. A. Hamid El-Zoheiry, on behalf of Prof. Maged Al-Sherbiny, Chair of AMCOST IV Steering Committee, said “Science and technology is an engine of development.” Therefore, according to the Professor, the committee needs to develop more initiatives and programs that will help advance science and technology to the benefit of economies and the benefit of the African continent at large.
The meeting of the steering committee will end on May 30, 2012 and it will be followed by the ministerial session on May 31st 2012.
Journalists are invited to cover the ministerial session of the AMCOST IV on Thursday 31st May 2012, at 9:00am at the new AU conference center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.