1. 1 Fostering Knowledge and Innovation for Development in a Globalized World: Regional Perspectives PROMOTING AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT TO FOSTER KNOWLEDGE AND INNOVATION FOR DEVELOPMENT Mervat Tellawy Executive Secretary UNESCWA

2. 2 The ESCWA Region: A strategic position between Europe, Africa and Asia Bordering major sea lanes Considerable resources of energy Reservoir of a young population: 38% < 15 yr (about 73.5 million)

3. 3 The ESCWA Region: A major crossroads and a melting pot of ideas Rich in history and culture:  Ibn Hayan (chemistry),  Al-Khawarizmi (algebra/algorithm),  Ibn-Sina (medicine)

4. 4 In 2003: the number of institutes of higher learning in the Arab countries:  Universities (112)  Colleges (113)  R&D institutes (131) Source: The world of learning. 2003. Europa publ. Regional Facts: Institutes of Higher Learning

5. 5 2002 Arab graduates

6. 6 Selected ICT indicators 2003-2005 Fixed telephone lines in operation per 100 Cellular mobile subscribers per 100 Personal computers per 100 Internet users per 100 20032005200320052003200520032005 Bahrain26.5427.0557.90103.0417.7116.9027.9621.34 Egypt12.7214.048.4518.412.913.784.376.75 Iraq2.784.000.092.220.79...0.180.14 Jordan11.7511.3623.5828.934.475.348.6211.22 Kuwait19.7918.9982.0988.5716.2622.3323.0526.05 Lebanon18.1427.6827.1427.6810.0011.4515.0019.57 Oman9.0210.3322.8351.944.274.666.739.67 Palestine8.729.4313.2629.573.874.594.016.56 Qatar26.3626.4151.1492.1517.7117.8818.0028.16 Saudi Arabia14.4715.4629.9154.1213.6735.396.206.62 Syria13.5415.242.3615.492.814.203.485.78 United Arab Emirates28.4027.5166.25100.8616.8219.8427.7531.08 Yemen3.403.853.619.540.821.450.690.87 ESCWA Average11.0912.3612.8124.304.668.13 1 4.816.48

7. ESCWA. 2005. Annual review of developments in globalization and regional integration in the countries of the ESCWA region 2005. 7 Foreign Direct Investment 2003 2004 Growth rate % ESCWA countries 4 525 7 85973.7 Arab countries 9 775 12 21925.0 World632 599648 146 2.5 Developing countries 166 337233 22740.2

8. 8 Regional Volatility The ESCWA region continues to suffer from conflicts and instability  LAGGING BEHIND IN TERMS OF DEVELOPMENT, ACQUISITION AND DISSEMINATION OF KNOWLEDGE

9. 9 Why……..? Unable to tap into the knowledge credited with the generation of economic growth The engine of STI has been insufficient Social, political and economic environment wanting

10. 10 Thrust of an Effective Enabling Environment Promote STI Encourage investment Invest in youth Foster the entrepreneurial spirit Nurture partnerships

11. 11 ESCWA’s response: regionally As a follow-up to Phases 1 & 2 of WSIS:  Development of a Regional Plan of Action for Building the Information Society (RPoA) in Western Asia In recognition of the role of science and technology in accelerating development  Establishing ESCWA Technology Centre which aims to: Promote better STI policies Disseminate knowledge and raise awareness on STI Invest in capacity building Encourage partnerships and entrepreneurship

12. 12 ESCWA’s response :sub-regionally Smart Community Project  Targets grass-roots  Provides community access to technology  Promotes networking and knowledge sharing  Encourages enterprise support schemes

13. 13 Thank you