Secretary-General Says Global Innovation Index Unique Tool,

Offering Set of Metrics for Refining Policies

 

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks on the launch of the Global Innovation Index, in Geneva, 1 July:

I am pleased to join you for this launch of the 2013 Global Innovation Index.  I thank the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Cornell University and INSEAD Business School for their leadership.

Science, technology and innovation have played an enormous role in the world’s progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.  Simple vaccinations against childhood diseases save 2.5 million lives every year.

Information and communications technologies power new businesses and create jobs, enrich cultural lives and drive social movements.  Again and again, we are reminded of the important role of science, technology and innovation, as well as culture, in advancing health, education, sustainable energy and other development challenges.

This year’s Global Innovation Index shows that the face of innovation in the twenty-first century is changing.  Innovation is increasingly open, collaborative and international.

As the international community works to develop the post-2015 development agenda, we must continue to harness the transformative power of science, technology and innovation.  As the theme of the Global Innovation Index implies, innovation must be locally adapted and build on home-grown knowledge and expertise.

Science, technology and innovation will play a key role in driving sustainable development.  My High-level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda highlighted the need to have an accurate picture of progress and where we must intensify efforts.

The Global Innovation Index provides a unique and important tool for meeting this objective by offering a detailed set of metrics for refining innovation policies.  It responds to the High-level Panel’s call for a global partnership on development data.  I very much hope that this work paves the way to informing national policies and priorities for innovation.

I know that you will continue to develop and refine this Index in collaboration with your Knowledge Partners, Advisory Board members and the organizations that help provide the data which underpins the Index.

I look forward to continuing our work with WIPO to ensure that we all may benefit from this important contribution to the role of science, technology and innovation in achieving the Millennium Development Goals and promoting sustainable development.  Thank you.

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For information media • not an official record