The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in the Philippines and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) pursue collaboration on strategic opportunities in science, technology and innovation (STI) in the country.
The UN aims to set up a South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) facility.
Dr. Harnik Deol, the Lead International Consultant on SSTC of the UNCT in the Philippines, met with DOST’s Assistant Secretary Leah J. Buendia on August 27 to discuss and identify their respective agencies’ possible strategic partnership on STI.
Based on the 2019 UN Conference on South-South Cooperation, the member states of the United Nations development system have urged the international agency to “enhance assistance for developing countries and to act as an enabler in seeking or facilitating potential cooperation partners in several strategic areas.”
It is in line with national development priorities, as well as to continue to support regional and subregional organizations in promoting sustainable development practices.
Buendia and Deol discussed the Philippines’ strengths in STI, such as in food processing and innovation, agriculture and waste management.
Buendia pointed out the various priority areas of the department in accordance with the DOST Agenda 2017-2022, such as health sufficiency, food and nutrition, agriculture, biodiversity, transport and mobility, industrial manufacturing, creative industry, renewable energy, OneLab and OneSTore.
Deol, on the other hand, said the Philippines can also benefit from SSTC, and asked about the preferred modalities of cooperation of the DOST and the areas where it can explore more.
For her part, Buendia identified that the country can learn more on artificial intelligence, industrialization/Industry 4.0, and nuclear science research, especially for medical applications.
The UN official, upon learning the DOST’s strengths, expressed optimism about the possible future collaborations.
Buendia pointed out that the DOST will remain committed to contribute to the success of the UN’s initiative in SSTC, and the Department will continue to cooperate with the UN Country Team in the Philippines to establish the SSTC facility. Karen Lou Mabagos, S&T Media Services