First meeting of SAARC Ministers of Science & Technology

The First Meeting of SAARC Ministers of Science & Technology was held in New Delhi on September 16, 2008. It was preceded by the Third Meeting of the Technical Committee on Science & Technology and the Meeting of Senior Officials on September 15, 2008. The declaration of the Ministers to promote Science & Technology in the development of the region was adopted.

The Ministers recognized the need of inculcating a scientific temper amongst the people of South Asia for meeting the developmental challenges of the region and the importance of educating the future generations on science and technology for nurturing the vast pool of scientific and technological manpower in the region.

Noting the region’s vast pool of scientific and technological manpower’s contribution to ushering in the Green Revolution, White Revolution, and the Revolution in IT and the establishment of the Micro-Credit system in the region, the Ministers reiterated their commitment to strengthen intra-regional cooperation through a Programme of Cooperation in Science & Technology, through establishment of a virtual SAARC Technology Information and a commercialization web portal linking existing technology transfer/licensing organization in SAARC countries.

The Ministers also agreed on regional seminars on Renewable Energy, Solid Waste Management, Orthodontics, Water Treatment and Sanitation, with clear modalities for implementation to derive benefits from the cooperation synergy between SAARC member states for the people of South Asia.

The meeting agreed to put into operation the SAARC Science Caravan that will travel to all SAARC member states to popularise science amongst the students of the region.

Government of India’s efforts in successfully hosting the First meeting of the SAARC Ministers of Science & Technology were appreciated by the other SAARC member states. The next meeting of the SAARC Ministers of Science & Technology would be held in Colombo in 2009.

Source: Press Inormation Bureau,
Date: September 16, 2008