Improving science, technology in Africa is aim as G-8, African, UN experts convene...( G 8 experts and their African counte...)

G 8 experts and their African counterparts convene for two days in Germany, Oct. 18-19, to map out specific ways to meet agreed commitments to foster better economic and social conditions in Africa through science and technology (S&T). The meeting advances the initiatives pledged in the declarations of the Gleneagles and Heiligendamm G 8 summits, supporting a strong commitment towards Africas development.

About 70 experts from nine African nations, the G 8 and several international organizations will assess the state of African S&T and of south-north cooperation, set priorities and schedule specific future actions.

The meeting is jointly organized by the G 8 presidency and AMCOST - the African Ministerial Council on Science and Technology. It is hosted by the two German federal ministries Education and Research (BMBF) and Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in collaboration with the United Nations University (UNU). Participants include high level representatives of AMCOST, G 8 member states, UNU and the European Union, plus observers from the World Bank, UNESCO, IAEA and the OECD.

The link from science and education investment to economic and social improvement has been proven in both Asia and Latin America, says UN Under-Secretary-General Konrad Osterwalder, Rector of UNU. Sadly, most of Africa is not in a position to harness science and technology to tackle its endemic problems of poverty, disease, inequity, and environmental degradation. Commitments made to help Africans remedy that must be met swiftly and UNU is honoured to facilitate this landmark meeting between African and G 8 experts.

The meeting was first suggested when G 8 research ministers met their AMCOST counterparts in December 2006 in Leipzig, Germany. Five months later, participants at the World Forum on Science for Sustainable Development, organized by the G 8 and UNESCO in Trieste, Italy, noted promises made at the G 8 Leaders Summit in Glenea
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