Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries - UN Technology Bank

UN Technology Bank Meets with Government of Türkiye in Ankara

flaminiac — Thu, 02 May 2024 13:00:00 +0000

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UN Technology Bank Team with Deputy Minister of MoFA Ambassador H.E. Mehmet Kemal Bozbay

Blog by Deodat Maharaj

2 May 2024

Just two days ago, my staff and I had the opportunity to engage with a range of key stakeholders on the work of UN Technology Bank. The UN Technology Bank has as its remit the leveraging of science, technology and innovation to help fast-track development in the world’s poorest countries or the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Türkiye is the host country of the UN Technology Bank and has been a big supporter of this relatively new UN institution.

Meeting with Deputy Minister of MoFA Ambassador H.E. Mehmet Kemal Bozbay

During the mission to Ankara, constructive engagements were held with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Chair of the Governing Council of UN Technology Bank; the President of the Turkish Development Agency or TIKA; and other partners.

It was good to see the strong commitment and reaffirmation of support by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador H.E. Mehmet Kemal Bozbay to our institution. The discussions on how to leverage technology and knowledge sharing to support Least Development Countries was the focus of the discussions including deepening the collaboration between UN Technology Bank and the Government of Türkiye.

The visit to TIKA and meeting with its President was valuable in providing insights on the important work done by Türkiye in so many of the poorest countries on the planet. Projects ranged from the construction of education and medical facilities to capacity building. Once again, there was full agreement that by working together, TIKA and the UN Technology Bank can deliver results for LDCs.

Having just joined the UN Technology Bank, the discussions with Professor Mandal who is the President of The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK), and Chairman of our Governing Council were both productive and forward looking. I was pleased to see his continued strong commitment to our work and so generously agreeing to share the experience and expertise of Türkiye to help transform the development trajectory of the poorest countries on earth.

UN Technology Bank Team meeting with the President of The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) and His Team

I left Ankara heartened with this strong partnership we have with the Government of Türkiye. I look forward to working with other partners to deliver results, where they matter, on the ground and in the lives of people in the poorest counties on this planet. They deserve nothing less.

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New Council Members for UN Technology Bank as it enters second year of operations

mbuldys — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 18:21:00 +0000

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Solar power panels bring light and connectivity into homes in Afghanistan.

Asian Development Bank

Gebze – The UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries announced new Council Members today at its annual meeting to evaluate work, approve budgets and plan for the future.

Stefano Manservisi, the former Director-General for International Cooperation and Development (DEVCO) at the European Commission and Prof. Hasan Mandal, President of TUBITAK have been appointed by the UN Secretary General to serve as new Council Members. They succeed Dr Ann Aerts, Head of the Novartis Foundation, member of the Broadband Commission; Dr Frank Rijsberman, Director General, Global Green Growth Institute and Dr Orkun Hasekioğlu, Advisor to the President of TÜBITAK, whose terms ended on 31 December 2019.

“I wish to warmly welcome new and reappointed Council Members, to this important meeting and to thank those Members who have left the Council for their valued service to the Technology Bank,” said Joshua Setipa, Managing Director of the UN Technology Bank.

“The Council is central to the governance of the UN Technology Bank and we rely on the rich personal experience of the Council Members to guide and advise us as we support science, technology and innovation in the world’s least developed countries.”

The Technology Bank is governed by the 13-member Council and reports on an annual basis to the United Nations General Assembly. Council Members serve in their personal capacity for three-year terms, they are appointed by the Secretary General of the United Nations.

Reappointed members of the Council are:

Prof. Aggrey Ambali, Head of STI Hub, NEPAD
Mr Abdoulaye Yero Baldé, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Republic of Guinea
Ms Sonia Bashir Kabir, Founder, Chairman & CEO of SBK Tech Ventures
Dr Bitrina Diyamett, Executive Director of the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Research Organization (STIPRO)
Prof. Xiaolan Fu, Director, Technology and Management Centre for Development, Oxford University
Prof. Zakri Abdul Hamid, Former Science Adviser to the Prime Minister of Malaysia
Prof. Mohamed H.A. Hassan, President TWAS
Dr Rosibel Ochoa, Associate Vice Chancellor Technology Partnerships, University of California Riverside
Dr Alfred Watkins, Chairman of the Global Solutions Summits
Ms Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

Representatives of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the President of the World Bank and the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization have official observer status to the Council. Appointment of an additional Council Member is currently pending.

Download the press release (PDF)

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New Managing Director for Technology Bank welcomed to United Nations

mbuldys — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 18:21:00 +0000

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Mr. Joshua Setipa, a new Managing Director of the Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries.

UN Technology Bank

New York – Mr. Joshua Phoho Setipa of Lesotho was welcomed to the United Nations Headquarters in New York today as the new Managing Director of the Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries. The Technology Bank is the UN’s newest institution and is supporting science, technology and innovation in the world’s poorest countries.

With over 20 years working at a senior level in government and international organisations including The World Bank, USAID and The World Trade Organisation, Mr. Setipa brings a wealth of experience to this vital role.

“The Technology Bank and its partners have already begun to chart a path with real potential to transform technology in the world’s poorest countries. I am excited and proud to lead this institution as it turns these ambitions into a life changing reality for the least developed countries,” said Mr. Setipa.

Mr. Setipa was welcomed to the United Nations by Ms. Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. Over a two-week period he will meet with key stakeholders including development partners and the UN system to explore future opportunities for collaboration and support of the activities of the Technology Bank.

The UN Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States has supported efforts to establish the Technology Bank since it was initially called for in 2011. Mr. Setipa succeeds Ms. Heidi Schroderus-Fox, Director of UNOHRLLS who served as the Acting Managing Director of the Technology Bank during its initial start-up phase.

“I warmly welcome Mr. Setipa to this exciting new position. It has been an honor for me to lead the UN team during the initial set-up and launch of the LDC technology bank. I am confident that under Mr. Setipa’s leadership the Technology Bank will reach its full potential in support of the least developed countries,” said Ms. Heidi Schroderus Fox.

The establishment and full operationalization of the Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries in 2018, is the first Sustainable Development Goal target, (17.8), to be achieved, speaking directly to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s principle of leaving no one behind. The new UN institution is seen as a significant achievement for the promotion of science, technology and innovation in the world’s poorest countries.

Work has already been initiated on the preparation of Science, Technology and Innovation reviews and Technology Needs Assessments in 5 least developed countries, in collaboration with relevant UN agencies. The Technology Bank also started activities aimed at improving access for scientists and researchers to data, publications, and knowledge in 12 least developed countries.

Download the press release (PDF)

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