UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development recognizes PH’s DOST S&T interventions
The Philippines’ interventions on science and technology (S&T) through the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as highlighted by DOST Undersecretary Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara in the United Nations (UN) Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) 2021-2022 Intersessional Panel Meeting and the presentation were recognized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in its news article entitled “Why global cooperation on science, technology and innovation is more crucial than ever”.
The Panel Meeting, participated in by about 250 representatives, was held from 17 to 19 November 2021 in a hybrid format. In the article, UNCTAD highlighted the importance of Industry 4.0 for inclusive development, citing the opening remarks of its Deputy Secretary-General, Isabelle Durant. Durant said that “Industry 4.0 in manufacturing is expected to result in higher levels of productivity accompanied by a decrease in its environmental impact.” She also added that there are more things to be done, “Too many firms in developing countries are still too far from using these new technologies in their production processes,” she added.
UNCTAD reiterated the efforts of the Philippines in speeding up the deployment of Industry 4.0. These include the assistance provided to businesses through innovation-focused capacity building and technological upgrading, the establishment of 38 regional research and development centers, and the capacity building of workforce on data sciences, data analytics and smart governance practices. UNCTAD quoted Usec. Guevara who said, “We are glad to note that the Philippines is one of the overperforming countries according to the frontier technologies readiness index in UNCTAD's Technology and Innovation Report 2021”.
Aside from advancing Industry 4.0, leveraging science, technology, and innovation for sustainable urban development has become the highlight of the news item as one of the meeting’s priority theme.
Link to UNCTAD’s news item: https://unctad.org/news/why-global-cooperation-science-technology-and-innovation-more-crucial-ever (Karen Lou S. Mabagos, ITCU-DOST)
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