The thirteenth session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) will be held in Geneva from 17 to 21 May 2010.
The Commission will organize a substantive discussion on the progress made over five years in the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), including consideration of the modalities of implementation and follow-up to the Summit.
In addition, the Commission will address the following topics:
- Improvements and innovations in existing financial mechanisms, with a special focus on ICT for development; and
- New and emerging technologies, with a special focus on renewable energy technologies
Participants will include representatives of Governments, civil society, the private sector and international organizations.
The session will open at 10 a.m. on Monday, 17 May, in Room XIX of the Palais des Nations. The first day will consist of an opening ceremony and a ministerial high-level segment on WSIS follow-up.
In the afternoon, a round table will take place with Heads of United Nations agencies and other stakeholders to discuss progress made over five years in the implementation of WSIS outcomes.
In the morning of the second day, the Commission will hear and discuss the report of the Secretary-General on WSIS follow-up, followed by the introduction and discussion of the report of the Secretary-General on Enhanced Cooperation.
In the afternoon, a discussion on the outcomes of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh will be held.
Travel expenses (but not per diem) are paid by UNCTAD for one representative of each State member of the Commission. International organizations and States members of UNCTAD that are not members of the Commission may attend the session as observers on the understanding that the cost of their attendance will be borne by their authorities.
Please inform the secretariat before 10 April 2010 of the composition of your delegation and the name of the focal point for the session, so that the necessary arrangements for their participation can be made.
Any questions about the preparations for the thirteenth session of the Commission should be addressed to Mr. Mongi Hamdi: tel.: +41 (0)22 917 5069; fax: +41 (0)22 917 0052; e-mail: mongi.hamdi@unctad.org.
(signed)
Supachai Panitchpakdi
Secretary-General of UNCTAD
7 April 2010