Authorities highlight science and technology as an engine for inclusion

Science, technology and innovation are "cross-cutting axes that can provide creative solutions to major common problems in areas such as education, health, economy, safety and the environment," declared Armando Pokus, Secretary of Science and Technology (SENACYT) of Guatemala as he inaugurated the IV Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities on Science and Technology focused on “Inclusive Innovation: Key to Reducing Inequalities and Improving Productivity in the Region" held on March 10 and 11 in Guatemala City.

The high-level meeting, known as REMCYT, concluded with a call to countries in the region to increase public and private investment in research and development, and on science and technology infrastructure, and approved the plan of action that will guide regional cooperation in this area over the next five years.

The call to increase investment in research and development (R&D) in science and technology is urgent, given the region’s lag in this area. In his opening remarks, Albert Ramdin, Assistant Secretary General of the OAS, cited comparative data from the World Bank, pointing to countries like Sweden and Japan, which invested 3.4 and 3.36 percent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in R&D, or the countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), averaging 2.4 percent; while most countries in the Americas allocate less than 1 percent of their GDP to R&D. This “sharp contrast” must be addressed, said Ramdin, as science and technology are "engines to boost productivity, exports and competitiveness. Without this approach, the economies of Latin America and the Caribbean will not achieve the levels of growth needed to create prosperity for all. "

The adopted Plan of Action of Guatemala 2016-2020 continues and furthers the work underway since the last ministerial meeting held in Panama in 2011, reaffirming the focus on four pillars: (1) Innovation, (2) Human Resources Education and Training, (3) National Quality Infrastructure, and (4) Technological Development, and their respective working groups. In addition, the new plan promotes actions on cross-cutting issues, encompassing inclusive innovation, women’s participation and leadership, and collaboration with the private sector, academia, civil society, and other social actors, including communities. For the coordination of the four working groups, authorities reelected Mexico, Argentina, Canada-Panama and Guatemala.

Science and technology authorities also approved a series of recommendations for the Summit Implementation Review Group (SIRG) in preparation for the meeting of Heads of State and Government in Panama next month, at the Seventh Summit of the Americas, highlighting the “coordination of efforts to achieve universal broadband access in all of our countries; and to continue creating conditions for increased public and private investment in research and development, and its science and technology infrastructure, to foster inclusive innovation and high-impact entrepreneurship.”

Sherry Tross, OAS Executive Secretary for Integral Development (SEDI) underscored the relevance of these recommendations given the Summit’s focus on Prosperity with Equity in the Americas, observing that "technology and innovation as key drivers for integral development must clearly be a part of Summit deliberations and mandates for action." Tross also stressed the significant opportunities for inter-state collaboration as well as public-private partnerships that grow out of these ministerial encounters and the increasing need for countries to work beyond their borders.

Indeed, in addition to the presence of high authorities and delegations from 21 member states of the OAS, the two-day meeting convened representatives from over 40 international organizations, institutions and strategic partners from the private, social and academic sectors. Some of the experiences shared focused on innovation-based solutions that are generating positive impacts in terms of inclusion and improved quality of life of the population. Examples included the presentation on Yachay, Ecuador, the City of Knowledge created under a new paradigm of urban planning that facilitates knowledge generation based on collaboration, taking advantage of the richness and diversity of the multidisciplinary capabilities of its population of students, researchers and communities. Another example was Ecofiltro, a social enterprise from Guatemala that offers solutions to bring clean water to rural populations; and the Gobee Group, a U.S. technology company focused on social impact, that develops technology solutions in areas such as health and education, and offers technical training.

Other participants at the high level dialogue included representatives of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), the Global Engineering Deans Council (GEDC), the Pan-American Federation of Engineering Societies (UPADI), the Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions (LACCEI), the Inter-American Metrology System (SIM), the Pan-American Standards Commission (COPANT), the Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC), the founding members of the Network of Technology Transfer and Commercialization Offices of the Americas, the University of Illinois, and the Ibero-American and Inter-American Network of Science and Technology Indicators (RICYT), among other distinguished guests.

The Plan of Action of Guatemala will be implemented through the working groups of countries established for each of its four themes, with the support of the OAS-SEDI Department of Economic Development. After the meeting, the Government of Colombia offered to host the next Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities on Science and Technology (REMCYT).