Statement made by India at the 18th Session of the UN Commission on Science & Technology for Development (CSTD) - Geneva, 4-8 May 2015, on Agenda Item 3(a) on Strategic Foresight for the post-2015 Development Agenda 6 May 2015 Statement made by India at the 18th Session of the UN Commission on Science & Technology for Develop..
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Statement by India on Agenda Item 3(a) on Strategic Foresight for the post-2015 Development Agenda 18th Session of UN Commission on Science, Technology for  Development (UNCSTD),Geneva May 6,2015

 

  • India appreciates UNCSTD efforts in bringing out a comprehensive report on the role of strategic /technology foresight and its use in highlighting key STI trends in relation to post-2015 development agenda.

  • It would be pertinent to highlight that India is addressing its needs for technology foresight through organizations such as Technology Information Forecasting & Assessment Council (TIFAC) which is functioning since 1988 . It is bringing out periodical foresight of short term nature that is sector,issue and demand based and long term vision documents (Technology Vision 2020 and Technology Vision 2035 to be released shortly).

  • While India predominantly made use of Delphi method in bringing out Technology Vision 2020, for the Technology Vision 2035 ,India has adopted a combination of foresight methodologies (expert consultations, group discussions,sector specific literature review,horizon scanning in addition to Delphi).

  • India’s Technology Vision 2035 prerogatives,supported by technology menu at four stages of readiness (readily deployable from global sources, from lab to field, requiring targeted research and technology in imagination ) are in sync with the key STI trends having potential to contribute to the post-2015 development agenda. This coherence amplifies readiness of India to participate in global STI partnership projects with thrust on technology and STI human capacity building.

  • India has two suggestions for enhanced role of UNCSTD in :

  • Catalyzing the building of a Government Technology Foresight Organizations Network with the objectives of improving international cooperation in emerging technology foresight tools and methodologies, sharing of experiences and best practices, organization of training programs and collaborative projects such as future of work, STI skills and future employability of STI professionals;

  • Proactively strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing global STI partnerships for sustainable development reinforcing the tenets of SDG 17 . This would entail CSTD’s engagement in (a) translating technology foresight into elaborating the scope of specific international projects for targeted research, technology development/ deployment  and STI human resource capacity building initiatives; (b) resources mobilization including technology and matching funds to enhance developing countries capacities in realization of more sustained inclusive socio-economic development.