Science with Africa : conference report

Abstract

The main theme of the 8th African Union Summit (22-30 January 2007, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) was science, technology and scientific research for development and the importance of STI as a driver of economic growth and poverty reduction in Africa. The Summit decided that new efforts to build constituencies and champions for STI in Africa would be launched in 2007. It also decided to establish the Pan-African Intellectual Property Organization (PAIPO), and reiterated its Khartoum Decision of 2006 that urges AU member States to allocate at least 1 per cent of their national gross domestic product to R&D. The Summit also emphasized the importance of South-South and North-South cooperation in STI.