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the role of STI policies in sustainable development of MICs: implications for the post-2015 development agenda. Michael Lim Policy Review Section Science, Technology and ICT Branch UNCTAD-DTL Minsk
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the role of STI policies in sustainable development of MICs: implications for the post-2015 development agenda Michael Lim Policy Review Section Science, Technology and ICT Branch UNCTAD-DTL Minsk Regional Conference on the middle–income countries perspective on sustainable development in CIS, Eastern and Southern Europe 16 May 2013
Outline • STI and innovation capacity • National and global challanges • MICs and middle-income trap • Current development agenda • Post-2015 development agenda • Conclusions
Why STI is important • Building strong STI capabilities, accessing foreign technologies and building strong national systems of innovation are important for: -economic growth -social welfare -environmental challenges (sustainability) -economic development
STI applications: many -improving productivity -increasing value added -diversifying production -mitigating/adapting to climate change -developing and diffusing new energy sources -building infrastructure -conserving water in agriculture -improving public services (health, education) -addressing disease epidemics -organizing mega-cities (smart urban planning, sustainable cities) -early warning systems for natural disasters (tsunamis, hurricanes) -adapting buildings for earthquake prone zones -slowing desertification etc.
National and global challenges • International competitiveness • Growth and employment (inclusive growth) • Natural resource sustainability (sustainable development) • Food security – food crises, malnutrition, starvation • Climate change • Energy security – fossil fuels and RETs • Water security • Natural resource depletion • Malthusian trap?
MICs: Middle Income trap? • Cannot compete on low cost production • Must compete based on innovation • Must build STI base, innovation capabilities, access technologies • Diversify into more skill- and knowledge-intensive production activities, increase value added • Requires STI policy action as part of development policy agenda
Current MDGs inadequate • STI central to achieving many MDGs or development goals • Eg. poverty (jobs-production nexus), hunger (agriculture-food-income nexus) • BUT…MDGs barely mention STI
Post 2015 development agenda implications • STI must be fully integrated into DA • Include technological learning, innovation capacity, access to technologies • Structural economic change also important in DA, as well as social development and sustainability • Science, technology and innovation must be harnessed for sustainable development • Process of development and specific goals both important
Conclusion • Many development challenges; STI badly needed in solutions • Innovation capacity key for MICs to escape middle-income trap • STI must be better integrated into post-2015 DA • Need discussion on how best to achieve this • Processes of developemnt important – also, how to specify goals