Representatives from thirty-two countries from the Americas approved draft
proposals for common hemispheric policies and strategies applying science,
technology, engineering and innovation for cultural and socio-economic
development of nations at the Fourth Regular Meeting of the Inter-American
Committee on Science and Technology “COMCYT” held at the OAS Headquarters
in Washington D.C. on April15-16, 2004. The Committee unanimously recognized the
importance and richness of the central themes and seventeen proposals derived
from the four workshops previously held in Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil and
Jamaica; and agreed that as science, technology, engineering and innovation are
the engines of economic and social progress, to reaffirm the need to incorporate
and foster them in the countries’ development plans and strategies. The
representatives prepared a consolidated policy paper and program of action for
the development of regional projects and new strategies to tackle poverty, and
reconfirmed that regional integration and free trade in the Americas could not
be successfully achieved without rapid strengthening of science, technology,
engineering and innovation competence particularly in the countries that need
the most.
The Committee elected Dr. Arnoldo Ventura of Jamaica as Chairman. Dr.
Ventura, presently serves as Special Adviser to Jamaica’s Prime Minister on
Science & Technology and is Chairman of the United Nations Commission on Science
& Technology for Development.
Dr. Fernando Gutierrez of Costa Rica was elected First Vice-Chair. Dr.
Gutierrez is the Minister of Science and Technology of Costa Rica.
Dr. Benjamin Marticorena of Peru was elected Second Vice-President. Dr.
Marticorena is the President of CONCYTEC (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y
Tecnologia) of Peru.
The elected authorities of COMCYT and the Office of Science and Technology of
the OAS will lead COMCYT to the First Hemispheric Meeting of Ministers and High
Authorities on Science and Technology under the scope of CIDI (Inter-American
Committee for Integral Development) to be held in Lima, Peru, November
11-12, 2004.
