SADC%20Protocol%20on%20Science,%20Technology,%20and%20Innovation

1
SADC Protocol on Science, Technology, and
Innovation
Thomas Auf der Heyde Briefing to Portfolio
Committee 16 February 2011

2
Previously

• July 2010 initial presentation by DST
• Key issues raised by Hon Members
• Legal vs substantive role of Committee
• Explanatory memo
• Legal ramifications
• Process leading up to tabling
• Financial implications

3
History of SADC Protocol on STI (1)

• 2006 SADC Declaration on Science, Technology and
  Innovation (STI) drafted by SADC senior officials
  and adopted by Ministers in Pretoria
• 2007 SADC senior officials drafted SADC Protocol
  on Science, Technology and Innovation in Durban
• 2007 Ministers approved SADC Protocol in
  Pretoria
• 2008 SADC Protocol on STI approved by the SADC
  Heads of States and Government during the SADC
  Summit in Johannesburg

4
History of SADC Protocol on STI (2)

• September 2009 draft Cabinet memo
• October 2009 African Renaissance Committee
  presentation
• November 2009 ICTS presentation
• February 2010 ICTS Cabinet Committee
  presentation
• April 2010 tabled in Parliament
• July 2010 Presentation to Portfolio Committee
• January 2011 Re-tabled by Minister Pandor

5
Key objectives of the Protocol

• Provide a base for development of institutional
  mechanisms for regional cooperation and
  coordination of STI
• Ensure proper coordination of resources for
  regional STI programmes as identified in the
  RISDP and CPA
• Promote development and harmonisation of STI
  approaches in the region
• Maximise public and private investment in RD in
  the region

6
Regional STI interventions

• SADC Policy Training
• SADC SET WEEK
• SADC Women-in-Science
• SADC STI Strategy
• SADC IPR
• SADC IKS
• SADC Climate Change
• SADC Blue Gene

7
Financial implications

• DST budget 09/10 11/12 R9.816m
• Leveraged foreign funds R3.310m

8
Summary

• Ratification of SADC Protocol is an important
  step toward regional integration
• Considerable progress being made in developing
  regional interventions SADC the leading REC
• Interest in key development partners to support
  regional initiatives
• Bilateral cooperation growing steadily
  (self-financed)
• BUT
• SADC STI Desk weak and under-resourced
• Development partners reluctant to support STI Desk