I am pleased to welcome you to the first SADC Ministerial Meeting after the abolition of the Integrated Committee of Ministers. You are all welcome to South Africa.
As I take over the chair of SADC in 2008, I first want to thank my colleague and my predecessor, the Minister of Science, Education and Vocational Training in Zambia for carrying the torch for science and technology for the period August 2007 to August 2008. I also thank the Government of Zambia for providing leadership and political support during its chairmanship, and in particular, for successfully facilitating the science and technology agenda. During Zambia’s tenure, the SADC Heads of State signed the Protocol on Science, Technology and Innovation at their meeting in August here in Johannesburg. This protocol will now be the legal framework for science and technology cooperation in the region.
As we take over the chair of the SADC on Science and Technology, we will need your support to carry forward the work begun by our predecessors. South Africa’s contribution during her 2008/09 tenure will include those areas that member states deliberated on before but could not fully implement the programmes contemplated. In addition, we also hope to introduce programmes in new areas that are very pressing for the region, such as climate change, unprecedented human migrations, energy security, drought, mineral beneficiation, technology transfer and other key strategic areas, since the use of science, technology and innovation is the key to addressing many of the challenges faced by our continent.
On the science and technology front, the region has achieved some successes, especially in the absence of a proper coordinating structure within the SADC Secretariat. We appreciate the amount of work that has been done at continental level. The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Office of Science and Technology has been a sterling champion in ensuring the implementation of the consolidated plan of action, and rolling out the existing flagship programmes in the areas of biosciences, laser sciences and mathematical sciences.
As we implement our science and technology projects, it is a reality that funding for science and technology in the region remains a big challenge. International experience shows there is not much that could be achieved through the global science funds and external financial sources. Therefore, as the SADC member countries we should continue to increase our national science and technology allocations with the aim of reaching at least 1 percent of our respective GDP’s for research and development in the next few years.
Our international partners have shown a lot of interest in cooperating with Africa. The Africa–EU strategic partnership is one of the vehicles that can be used to leverage resources for science and technology in the region. The Africa-Japan partnership is another opportunity for collaboration in science and technology. It is important for us to strengthen the North-South and South-South partnerships in science and technology. All these opportunities require us to have a collective position on how we want to cooperate as the region.
Bilateral and multilateral engagements will continue to be important instruments for nurturing our science and technology programmes. Sharing of information, expertise, infrastructure and best practices should continue, as is our participation, where possible, in trilateral relationships involving our partners from the north or south. But most importantly, we should foster inter-regional cooperation and integration.
In closing, I am also grateful that we successfully launched the SADC science, technology and innovation desk last evening. Indeed, this would not have been a success without the dedication and tenacity of all member states. I am inspired by the willingness and speed displayed by member states to make this dream a reality. This marks the journey towards achieving a sound science and technology agenda for the region, and a solid structure for linking together all our efforts in a coordinated manner. This is our desk; we need to support it if it is to continue bearing the fruits we had in mind when we first anticipated its formation.
I thank you all. The meeting is officially open.