International conference on promotion of new technology opens in Moscow

(Reissued as received.)

VIENNA, 9 June (UNIDO) -- The “International Conference on the role of organizations of the private sector and civil society (CSOs) in promotion, transfer, adaptation and diffusion of new technology and innovation”, opened today in Moscow, Russian Federation.  The three-day gathering is organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in cooperation with the International Congress of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (ICIE). Its findings will be submitted to the “St. Petersburg Economic Forum” on 14 June 2005.

The meeting is expected to explore opportunities in fostering international cooperation in innovation and technology and will try to define the role of CSOs in the transfer, adaptation and diffusion of new technology and innovations to support developing countries.  Potential partners will discuss technical cooperation projects for future implementation within UNIDO's frame of activities.

Another objective of the conference is to launch a technical cooperation programme for strengthening the links between the research community, industry and CSOs through pilot demonstration projects in the food industry, the energy sector and high technology spin-offs and by establishing an action plan.  Technology fosters economic growth and spreads mainly through foreign direct investment, trade, licensing, and donor contributions.  Most of the technologies are developed in industrialized countries that conduct the largest part of the world's research and development.  Due to market failures and weak institutional capacities, developing countries and countries in transition register a low flow of technology and investments, which hinders the upgrading of their innovation capacities.

CSOs can identify technology needs of their constituencies and act as information providers on available technologies, while, at the same time, playing a part in the diffusion of new technology and innovation.  The UNIDO has a long experience in building up local capacity for sustainable industrial development and of assisting countries with transfer of technology for strengthening their competitive position on international markets.  In 1990, UNIDO has established a Centre for International Industrial Cooperation in Moscow to assist Russian institutions in building business relationships with foreign partners and foreign organizations interested in cooperating with the local industry.  Via this Centre, UNIDO will try to assist the high-tech needs of Latin American countries by fostering technological cooperation with Russia.

The ICIE -- a union of non-governmental associations and business communities -- has consultative status with UNIDO.  Its activities include support and promotion of innovative ideas and the development and implementation of projects.

For more information on the Conference, visit:  http://exchange.unido.org/cso/conference/

Contact for further information:  Vladimir Kozharnovich, e-mail:  V.Kozharnovich@unido.org, tel.:  (+43-1-) 26026-3720 and (43-1-) 26026-3702, fax:  (+43-1) 26026-6870, mobile:  (+43- 0) 699-14593720.

Note for Editors

The UNIDO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that focuses its efforts on relieving poverty by fostering productivity growth.  It helps developing countries and countries with economies in transition in their fight against marginalization in today’s globalized world.  It has 171 member States.  For more information, please visit:  www.unido.org <http://www.unido.org/&gt;.

For more information on UNIDO, please contact:  Cristina Stricker, tel.:  +43-1-26026-3034, e-mail:  c.stricker@unido.org.

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