AG/RES. 1856 (XXXII-O/02)

FIRST MEETING OF MINISTERS AND HIGH AUTHORITIES ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF CIDI 

(Adopted at the fourth plenary session held on June 4, 2002) 

            THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 

HAVING SEEN: 

            Resolution AG/RES. 1807 (XXXI-O/01) “First Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities on Science and Technology within the Framework of CIDI,” in which the General Assembly resolved to take note of the convening of the First Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities on Science and Technology within the Framework of CIDI, to be held in Panama from January 17 to 19, 2002, urging member states to participate in that meeting by sending their highest-level authorities in science and technology; and 

            Resolution CIDI/RES. 14 (I-E/01) “First Meeting of Ministers of Science and Technology within the Framework of CIDI,” whereby CIDI convened the First Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities on Science and Technology within the Framework of CIDI on the date and at the site previously noted by the General Assembly and resolution CIDI/RES. 125 (VII-O/02); 

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT: 

            That the Declaration of the Third Summit of the Americas noted that ministerial meetings were making important progress in support of the mandates of the Summit of the Americas process and that this cooperation would continue to develop; 

            That the science and technology area has been considered to be a priority throughout the Summit of the Americas process, reaffirmed in the Strategic Plan for Partnership for Development 2002-2005; 

CONSIDERING: 

            That the First Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities on Science and Technology within the Framework of CIDI, initially scheduled to be held in 2001, had to be postponed; 

            That the Inter-American Committee on Science and Technology (COMCYT) recommended holding the Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities on Science on Technology within the Framework of CIDI after the Third Summit of the Americas, with a view to following up on its mandates in the area of science and technology; 

            That it is important for the Hemisphere to have at least one ministerial meeting on science and technology prior to the holding of the next Summit of the Americas, in order to advise the highest political levels of the priorities, needs, and recommendations of the highest authorities on science and technology of the Americas; and 

            That in the Hemispheric Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Science and Technology, held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, in March 1996, the ministers recommended holding a ministerial meeting on science and technology at the hemispheric level every three years and such has not happened, 

RESOLVES: 

            1.         To consider it a matter of priority to hold the First Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities on Science and Technology within the Framework of CIDI prior to the next Summit of the Americas.

            2.         To hold a meeting of COMCYT with the objective of preparing the aforementioned Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology. 

            3.         To urge member states to participate in that meeting by sending their highest-level authorities on science and technology. 

            4.         To instruct the General Secretariat to provide, through the Office of Science and Technology and in coordination with the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI), technical and secretariat support for carrying out the preparatory work and following up on the mandates of the Summits of the Americas relating to science and technology. 

            5.         To recommend to the member states that they provide, with the support of the Office of Science and Technology and in coordination with the Inter-American Agency for Cooperation and Development, the preparation of multilateral projects and programs related to the mandates of the Summits of the Americas in the science and technology sector.