On 10-12 December 2015, ESCWA partnered with the Arab League Education, Culture and Science Organization (ALECSO) in organizing the 3rd Session of the Arab Forum for Scientific Research and Sustainable Development (AFSRSD), which was held in Beirut under the auspicious of Lebanese Minister of Administrative Reform Nabil de Freije. The event also included the following partners: Rafik Hariri Foundation; The General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries; The Maghreb Institute for Research and Strategic Studies; The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO); and The Lebanese National Commission for UNESCO.
The Forum’s 3rd session discussed the following themes and topics: The Current Status of Scientific Research and Development in the Arab Region; Scientific Research and Development at the Service of Sustainable Development Policies; Promoting the Use of Arabic Language in Scientific Research and Development; Means of Catalyzing Research and Development.
The Forum saw two panels organized by ESCWA Sustainable Development Policies Division (SDPD) on "Promoting the Science-Policy Interface in the Arab Region" and ESCWA Technology for Development Division (TDD) on “Innovation and Technology Policies for an Inclusive Knowledge Economy”.
The SDPD panel focused on the science-policy interface in the Arab region and the importance of this evolving concept in light of the interlinked challenges facing the region and the world; the panel saw that emerging sustainable development challenges can only be resolved using integrated, evidence-based and scientific solutions.
The TDD panel focused on analyzing the role of innovation and technology in the transformation towards the knowledge-based economy and the importance of knowledge and innovation as factors in boosting productivity and economic growth. It also aimed at exploring the necessary mechanisms for this transformation such as technology transfer, national policies, funding, networking, and harmonization of efforts.
The AFSRSD, which convenes on yearly basis, is intended to enhance the contribution of universities, research centres and innovators in sustainable development in the Arab region. It gathers senior officials and decision makers from the concerned Arab ministries, including ministries of planning, economic development, education, research, industry, and agriculture, with scientists and researchers from universities, training and research institutions, as well as producers and service providers from the public and private sectors in the Arab countries.
Read more: http://www.alecso.org/rasd/Eng/index.php