NEWS RELEASE

PM meets with UNESCO Science Chief

Monday September 4^th 2007, St. George’s: Prime Minister Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell met today with Prof Walter Erdelen, Assistant Director General, UNESCO (Natural Sciences). Prof. Erdelen’s presented a Report on the Status of Science and Technology (S&T) in the Caribbean to Dr. Mitchell, who is the Prime Minister responsible for S&T in CARICOM.

Prime Minister Mitchell in his presentation thanked UNESCO for the role they have played in the development of science and technology in the region. He also welcomed the report and said that it came at a time when it was needed. Prime Minister Mitchell emphasised the importance of Science and technology towards the overall development of the region and noted that regional governments and private sector institutions had to become more in tune with the developmental rewards of technology. Prime Minister Mitchell identified the Caribbean region as an area where science and technology could lead to the development of specialised products and access to non traditional markets. He identified energy security, food security and educational development as important areas which can be advanced through the use of technology.

Prime Minister Mitchell also announced plans to convene a high level meeting of ministers with responsibility for science and technology, university chancellors, leaders in the private sector and other stakeholders to discuss the report. After this meeting Prime Minister Mitchell announced that he would take the results of this meeting and the recommendations of the report to the Heads of Government Summit.

This Report was commissioned by UNESCO and the CARICOM Steering Committee on S&T which is chaired by Prof. Harold Ramkissoon. It was prepared by Dr. Khotso Mokhele, Former President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Research Foundation of South Africa, who visited the Caribbean in December, 2006.

Prof. Erldelen will then proceed to the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown where he will meet with CARICOM Officials to discuss the report. Meetings are also scheduled with President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Prof. James Rose.

Prof. Harold Ramkissoon will be accompanying the ADG on his Caribbean visit which is being coordinated by CARISCIENCE and the UNESCO National Commission in Grenada, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.