Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries - Lesotho

Lesotho Technology Needs Assessment Stakeholders Workshop and Launch

cheng9 — Thu, 05 May 2022 06:59:00 +0000

Wednesday, 04 May 2022 - 10:00am to Friday, 06 May 2022 - 5:00pm

Technology has become a catalyst in our day-to-day operations, especially in core sectors that drive the economy of each country. New and modified existing technologies form news headlines each day and those technologies include both what things are made of and how things are made. Technologies are mainly aimed to enhance human capabilities or enable humans to perform tasks they could only dream of without it. However, not all countries have access to or are able to deploy new technologies even if they wish to due to their limited resources. This keeps enlarging gaps between least developed countries and developed countries in terms of economy, health services, education, agriculture and energy.

The UN Technology Bank is mandated to build science, technology and innovation (STI) capacities in the least developed countries. The Technology Needs Assessment is one of the key programmes of the UN Technology Bank that assists least developed countries to identify technologies required to meet their national development aspirations. It helps the assessed country analyse barriers and challenges hindering the acquisition, deployment and diffusion of prioritized technologies.

The Government of Lesotho coordinated and completed its TNA through the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology (MCST). Lesotho became one of the least developed countries to score an opportunity to have the Technology Needs Assessment done across their key sectors through the engagement of key stakeholders.

The three-day event will include a stakeholder workshop that will bring key stakeholders who can assist in the implementation of the key recommendations of the report. Stakeholders include the UN agencies, the private sector, other government line Ministries, civil society organizations, and potential donors.

Specific Objectives:

Learn from Institutions that have STI related interventions in Lesotho and see how partnerships can be forged for the implementation of common areas
Select and prioritise a few projects that can already be implemented based on available capacities/resources
Develop a plan for resource mobilization for some key areas that require urgent implementation

The Lesotho TNA report will be officially launched in the last day of the event.

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Lesotho Technology Needs Assessment Validation

mbuldys — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 18:21:00 +0000

Thursday, 09 December 2021 - 10:00am to 1:00pm

Introduction

The Technology Bank supports least developed countries (LDCs) to conduct Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs), which are effective tools for identifying development challenges in LDCs that require technological solutions through targeted project design and sustainable technology transfer. TNAs provide useful guides for LDCs and stakeholders in their decision-making efforts related to technology transfer and science, technology and innovation (STI) capacity building programmes for each LDC to accelerate efforts towards achieving the targets set in their national development plans and reaching the relevant Sustainable Development Goals.

The TNA process is country-led and participatory, involving stakeholders from various sectors and thematic areas including government line ministries, youth, women, the private sector, NGOs, IOs and other development actors. One fundamental part of this process is national level validation workshops, which are held after consolidation of the TNA report to enable key stakeholders and experts to review and endorse the findings in the TNA reports. This is followed by the technology implementation planning phase that aims to catalyze implementation and put the proposed technological solutions into action.

Registration

Please join us via Zoom: https://bit.ly/3lH29Bm

*The event is taking place at 10 AM (SAST, GMT+2)

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UN Technology Bank and NASAC teamed up to support the launch of the Lesotho Academy of Science and Technology

mbuldys — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 14:43:00 +0000

lesothocfaorodger_bosch.jpg

Rodger Bosch/FAO

Maseru/Gebze – UN Technology Bank and The Network of African Science Academies teamed up to support the launch of the Lesotho Academy of Science and Technology (LAST), which will play a critical role in advising on science, technology and innovation (STI) policy development and implementation to address socio-economic challenges and promote development in Lesotho. The LAST is an independent platform for contact and knowledge transfer among the private sector, public sector, civil society, academics, and government in the fields of science, technology, and innovation

Since the end of 2018, UN Technology Bank has directly implemented projects and activities in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) including establishing and supporting existing academies of sciences Academies of science promote the advancement of science and technology and provide governments with science-based policy advice.

The Lesotho Academy of Science and Technology will serve as the prime advisors of the government of Lesotho and the general public on matters pertaining to science, technology, and innovation. As an independent organization, the LAST will promote science and engineering and strengthen its influence in Lesotho. The major objectives of the Academy include providing linkages between academia and the industry and facilitating technological innovation and excellence in Lesotho.

Rt. Hon. Dr. Moeketsi Majoro, Prime Minister of Lesotho highlighted that “This science academy is going to adjudicate over disputes amongst the academia, in particular our local Scientists. As government, we pledge to support this academy in its cry for autonomy, how it elects its members and how it is led.”

The Academies of Science are also important sources of current and emerging leaders in science and advocates for STI, which can help connect their respective governments with research communities and reward outstanding contributors to STI.

“The key objective of the Technology Bank under this programme is to support Lesotho’s national technological efforts and support the reinforcement of partnerships across sectors and help Lesotho identify, access, adapt and deploy appropriate technologies to transform its economy and improve the livelihoods of Basotho,” said Joshua Setipa, Managing Director of the UN Technology Bank.

“Through the Lesotho Academy, NASAC hopes to build confidence in the lives and inspirations of the eminent scientists, who have taken the path least followed – to pursue youth towards careers in science,” emphasized Prof. Norbert Hounkonnou, President of Network of African Academies.

The LAST should affiliate with regional and continental academies of sciences as a reservoir of advice, strategic leadership, and expertise. African academies play an important role in supporting SDGs and Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024 (STISA-2024). In the first quarter of 2021, UN Technology Bank will support launching academies in Malawi, DRC, and Chad, followed by Liberia, Niger, and Sierra Leone. The sustainability of academies of sciences is of paramount importance to the Technology Bank, and will continue supporting existing academies to enhance their strategic planning, mobilise resources and increase the awareness about academies.

Download the press release

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The Launch of Lesotho Academy of Science and Technology

mbuldys — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 18:25:00 +0000

Monday, 15 March 2021 - 10:15am

The UN Technology Bank works to support the establishment and strengthening of Academies of Science capacities in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to play a critical role in advising governments on STI policy development and implementation to address socio-economic challenges and promote development.

In March 2021, the UN Technology Bank and The Network of African Science Academies teamed up to support the launch of the Lesotho Academy of Science and Technology.

Background:

Since 2019, the Technology Bank has conducted five regional consultations, four in Africa and one in Asia, that brought together all LDCs and setting a path for informing the work programme. In the past years, UN Technology Bank has partnered with the Network of African Academies (NASAC) to support existing academies and establish ones where they do not exist. In 2020, UN Technology Bank supported Angola (launched in Dec 2020). In 2021, Lesotho, Malawi, DRC, and Chad will launch their academies in the first quarter of 2021. Cambodia, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone, and the Solomon Islands will also be supported in 2021.

Speakers:

Live interventions by distinguished speakers from the government of Lesotho, the Network of African Science Academies, South African Academy of Science and Southern Africa Development Community.

Rt. Hon. Dr. Moeketsi Majoro, Prime Minister of Lesotho
Hon. Ntlhoi Motsamai, Minister of Education and Training, Lesotho
Mr. Joshua Setipa, Managing Director, UN Technology Bank for the LDCs
Prof. Norbert Hounkonnou, President of Network of African Academies
Prof. Himla Soodyall, Executive Officer of Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Ms. Anneline Morgan, Senior SADC Programme Manager

Register:

The session will be hosted virtually.

Please join us via Zoom at: https://bit.ly/3rzMo0a

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Critical COVID-19 protective supplies delivered to frontline workers in Kingdom of Lesotho

mbuldys — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 17:21:00 +0000

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UN Technology Bank

Gebze - A donation of 100,000 facemasks has been handed to frontline workers in the Kingdom of Lesotho in an effort to urgently protect key workers, such as medics, police and boarder control staff from COVID-19. The protective supplies are intended for use whilst local production is being ramped up.

The masks were presented to The Government of Lesotho by Salvator Niyonzima, UN Resident Coordinator, as a donation from the UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries and the Organizing Committee of World Eco-Design Conference. Both organizations have recently formed a joint venture which supports the world’s least developed countries to develop industrial design through south-south cooperation.

“COVID-19 is a global pandemic severely impacting every community and requiring action from each individual. In Lesotho we are proud of those serving on the frontline to help protect communities,” said Hon. Mathibeli Mokhothu, Deputy Prime Minister. “Today’s generous donation will help these individuals continue their work, with increased protection, whilst we scale up manufacturing in-country.”

The World Health Organisation recommends the use of facemasks as an essential preventative and mitigation measure against COVID-19. Lesotho was the last country to record a case of COVID-19 in the African continent. Plans to scale up local manufacturing in the Kingdom are currently underway, but in the meantime the demand for protective gear persists.

“This donation will go a long way in ensuring that our front-line workers on whom we all depend, work under the safest conditions, as they continue to step directly into COVID-19’s path to support the afflicted and help curb the spread of the virus,” said Thabo Khasipe, CEO, NACOSEC.

Transactions facilitated by the UN Technology Bank under its Tech Access Partnership initiative, for local manufacturing of personal protective equipment (PPE), are scheduled to be concluded in the coming weeks with 3 Basotho owned companies, producing for the local and regional markets. Such local production of PPE will not only aid in the fight against COVID-19 but will also improve cost effectiveness and boost job creation.

“The provision of these masks is a great step towards meeting the immediate health needs of the people of Lesotho. The UN Technology Bank is committed to forming partnerships that can respond quickly and efficiently to COVID-19, ensuring strong and sustainable health systems,” said Joshua Setipa, Managing Director of the UN Technology Bank “Local production of health technologies remains vital to fighting COVID19, as well as for the Post-COVID-19 recovery.”

“WEDC aims to promote integration of design, ecology, and society as well as sustainable development worldwide, including in developing and least developed countries. The United Nations Technology Bank, World Eco-Design Conference and Lesotho Government have joined hands to fight the pandemic. This PPE equipment will serve to provide relief to where it is critically needed in Lesotho. It is my sincere hope that the government of Lesotho will defeat this pandemic soon", said Mr. Ying Fangtian, President of the Organizing Committee of World Eco-Design Conference."

In May this year The UN Technology Bank launched the Tech Access Partnership, as part of a UN coordinated approach to help countries like Lesotho develop local manufacturing expertise and capabilities for health technologies. In partnership with UNDP, UNCTAD and WHO, the Tech Access Partnership helps put those seeking access to lifesaving health technologies in touch with manufacturers and partners who can share information, technical expertise and resources to scale up production of these tools in country.

The Tech Access Partnership contributes not only to increasing countries’ capacity to fight COVID-19, but also reduces reliance on global supply chains, boosting resilience and underpinning sustainable health systems for the future, in line with Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Download the press release (PDF)

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