CILAC Forum brings together regional institutions to strengthen the science, technology and innovation agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean

Last Wednesday, October 30, the IV colloquium of the “Science in Motion” Cycle of the CILAC Forum, organized by UNESCO, took place. This event brought together different institutions, such as the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI), Association of Montevideo Group Universities (AUGM), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB) with the aim of raising awareness among region of the importance of establishing Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) agendas. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) also participated in the event, presenting its vision and commitment to promoting Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policies for the productive development of the region.

Marco Llinás, director of the Productive and Business Development Division of ECLAC, emphasized the urgency of adequate investment in R&D in Latin America and the Caribbean, currently low compared to other economies, with an average of just 0.6 % of GDP. In his speech, he stressed that the region also faces a limited capacity for growth, having experienced an annual rate of just 0.9% in the last decade. In this context, Llinás explained: “at ECLAC we have promoted a conversation about science, technology and innovation that is intrinsically linked to economic growth.”

ECLAC has structured the agenda of the Science, Technology and Innovation Conference around five strategic axes, seeking to improve the productivity and growth of the region. These axes include: (1) STI policy instruments, (2) governance to effectively articulate STI efforts, (3) strengthening STI at the local and territorial level, (4) the formulation of innovation agendas in strategic sectors such as health, and (5) the focus on the specific needs of the Caribbean region.

According to Llinás, these working groups are already active and operate under a two-year work plan, which includes activities such as webinars, peer meetings and specialized studies. In addition, ECLAC is providing technical assistance to countries and territories to facilitate the implementation of good practices and the optimization of their STI resources.

Llinás concluded his intervention by calling on the institutions present to coordinate efforts and reduce the lack of coordination in the STI agenda. “With so many challenges in the region, it is essential to maximize synergies and reduce duplication to enhance the impact on STI and the productive development of Latin America and the Caribbean,” he highlighted.