By Gabriel Agbeja
Abuja – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) says many African countries have increased their financial commitment to Research and Development substantially since 2009.
UNESCO disclosed this in its Science Report: Toward 2030- an overview of global trends, forwarded by UNESCO Director-General, Mr Irina Bokova, made available to News Agency of Nigeria from UNESCO Abuja regional Office.
The report said the three main thrusts for many African ‘vision’ planning documents to 2020 or 2030 include better governance, more inclusive growth and sustainable development.
“Both national and sub-regional ‘vision’ documents acknowledge the importance of science, technology and innovation for sustainable development.
“Many African countries now have STI policies, that is 11 out of 15 Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries).
“Several African countries have increased their financial commitment to Research and Development substantially since 2009 and are convinced that they will need STI to foster more inclusive growth and sustainable development in the years to come.
“This conviction is reflected in national and sub-regional development plans to 2020-2030, for example the Vision documents.
The report stated that some Africa countries energetically promoting private sector Research and Development through technology incubation hubs, dedicated funds and technology parks among others.
According to it, economic diversification remains hampered by a skills shortage but countries are establishing more universities, including some specialising in agricultural sciences and other Science and Technology fields.
“Africa is embracing sustainable development. Examples abound of strategies and operational projects related to climate change adaptation and the development of renewable energy and ‘green cities, “ it said.
It said that between 2005 and 2014, scientific publications catalogues in international journal rose from 1,001 to 1,961 equivalent to 11 per million inhabitants in 2014 in Nigeria.
The report said that in 2011, the Federal Executive Council approved the allocation of 1per cent of GDP to set up a National Science, Technology and Innovation Fund in Nigeria.
NAN recalls that the UNESCO Science Report: toward 2030 provides more country-level information than ever before.
The trends and developments in science, technology and innovation policy and governance between 2009 and mid-2015 described in the report provide essential baseline information on the concerns and priorities of countries.
These are the countries that should orient the implementation and drive the assessment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the years to come.