Islamic Development Bank and UNESCO strengthen cooperation to support science, technology and innovation policy making in Mozambique and Uzbekistan

The President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), H.E. Dr. Bandar M.H. Hajjar, and the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, signed a new Cooperation Agreement to support Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policymaking in Mozambique and Uzbekistan.

IsDB and UNESCO are commited to promote an enabling environment for comprehensive science, technology, and innovation systems, policies, as well as for the development of institutional and human capacity to promote sustainable economic development, entrepreneurship and youth employability. Therefore, IsDB and UNESCO will join forces in this project to strengthen capabilities to produce accurate STI information; use this information to design STI policies and policy instruments, and to eliminate the persisting gender imbalance in STI.

As part of the signing ceremony in Paris, the President of the IsDB, H.E. Dr. Bandar Hajjar, presented the UNESCO Director-General, Audrey Azuay, with the “Science, Technology, and Innovation Institutional Profile of the Islamic Development Bank” report. The report is one of the outputs of previous UNESCO-IsDB cooperation agreement showcasing the transformation of the IsDB in its efforts to support STI in IsDB member countries.

President of the IsDB, H.E. Dr. Bandar M.H. Hajjar said: “The need for STI policies in IsDB member countries is crucial given their importance in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. During a short period of time, the IsDB has made great progress in promoting and utilising STI, helping bring immense economic opportunities, new and better jobs and higher living standards. Our partnership with UNESCO has been integral to achieving this.”

“We are delighted to partner with the Islamic Development Bank to facilitate the implementation of science, technology and innovation our shared Member states” said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO. “UNESCO and the IsDB have the desire to narrow the science, technology and innovation gap o ensure that all countries benefit from scientific and technological progress and innovation across the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Original source: IsDB
Published on 15 March 2019