DECISION ON THE REPORT OF THE FIFTH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE
AFRICAN UNION CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS IN CHARGE
OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DOC. EX.CL/766(XXII)
The Executive Council,
1. TAKES NOTE of the report and the recommendations of the Fifth Ordinary Session of the African Union Conference of Ministers in charge of Science and Technology (AMCOST V) in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, from 12th to the 15th November 2012;
2. ENDORSES the Science and Technology Framework for the Detection, Identification and Monitoring of Infectious Diseases of Human, Animals and Plants in Africa and to carefully coordinate with existing initiatives and collaborate with relevant institutions and integrating health and social issues in order to maximize the benefits and impact of the implementation of the framework;
3. FAVOURABLY WELCOMES AND APPLAUDS the decision of H.E. President Denis Sassou N’Guesso of the Republic of Congo to launch an “African Science Innovation Award”;
4. RECOGNIZES the role of space science and technology in Africa's development and the need to ensure coordination between all actors and stakeholders in this sector, and especially with regard to the development of an African space policy and strategy, and the creation of relevant institutions such as an African space agency;
5. TAKES NOTE of the current on-going review process of Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA) to accelerate Africa’s transition to innovation-based economies through a robust science, technology and innovation foundation;
6. REQUESTS Member States, Regional Economic Communities, and the Commission in collaboration with the Development Partners to implement the recommendations of the Fifth Ordinary Session of the African Ministerial Conference on Science and Technology and to report progress in this regard to the May 2013 Summit;
7. TAKES NOTE of the offer of the Republic of Namibia to host the next session of the AMCOST, AND REQUESTS the Commission to take account of the decision of the Conference on specialized technical committees in the implementation of this proposal.