Accra, July 17, GNA - The 13th session of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development, has identified insufficient resources, infrastructure, investment and connectivity as some of the impediments of developing nations to access ICT.
The more than 15- member states of the commission agreed that although rapid progress has been achieved in ICT, access at the global level and significant gaps remain within economies and societies, hence the need for stakeholders to provide adequate resources, and support efforts of capacity building and technology transfer to developing countries, particularly the least developed ones.
This was contained in a report of the commission's session in Geneva held in May 17- May 21, released to the Ghana News Agency in Accra at the weekend.
Ghana was represented at the session by Ms Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology.
The participants expressed concern about the widening gap in broadband connectivity, which affects economic and social relevant e-applications in areas such as governance, business, health and education.
This "broadband divide further marginalises the poor, rural communities, and other disadvantaged groups such as women, the disabled, and the elderly," the report said.
The participants commended current initiatives, which aim at achieving rapid broadband deployment and underscored the need to prioritise innovative approaches within national and regional development strategies.
They highlighted the importance of standardisation and harmonisation of reliable and regularly updated ICT indicators, which capture the performance, efficiency, affordability and quality of goods and services.
In line with its work programme, the commission undertook a five year review of the progress made in the implementation and follow-up of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) outcomes at the regional and international levels.
In addition, it considered two priority themes; "Improvements and Innovations in Existing Financial Mechanisms," and "New and Emerging Technologies".
The session included a panel on "Gender, Science and Technology" and a segment on science, technology and innovation policy reviews for Ghana and Lesotho.
The session advocated effective policy measures to promote local innovative capabilities, which included: supporting universities and public research centres that are dedicated to renewable energy technologies, community participation in decision-making and ensuring that people have the requisite capabilities to manage low-carbon technologies deployed in their localities.
There was also suggestion for the provision of incentives for research and development at the firm level in private companies and the establishment of business parks and innovation clusters.
Governments were urged to adopt regulatory and procurement policies to foster competition and private sector development and to attract domestic and foreign direct investment.
These include the use of appropriate policy instruments such as subsidy schemes, feed-in tariffs, tax credits, financial guarantees and the reduction of import duties to support technology deployment in market niches.
As a contribution to Economic and Social Council 2010 annual ministerial review on the theme: "Implementing the internationally agreed goals in regard to gender and empowerment of women", a panel discussion was devoted to "Gender, Science and Technology", which was moderated Ms Ayittey.
The commission elected by acclamation Ms Ayittey to chair the 14th session:
Two draft resolutions adopted comprised assessment of the progress made in the implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the WSIS; Science and technology for development; participation of non-governmental organisations and civil society entities in the work of the commission as well as academic entities.
There was also provisional agenda documentation for the 14th session.
