In the view of the Scientific and Technological Community, these two weeks of CSD-
18 have shown that one of the priorities to be addressed in CSD-19 are science and
technology related to Education, Training, and Institutional Capacity Building.
Mainstreaming ?sustainability? in the transport, chemicals, waste disposal and
mining sectors requires professionals with a solid training and knowledge in different
fields of science, engineering and technology. Addressing the challenges of
sustainable development in these sectors, as well as in the overarching field of
sustainable consumption and production requires strong and focused national,
regional and global science, engineering and technology systems. However, it is now
clearer than ever that these challenges have thus far outstripped the capacities both
of the science and technology community and of society to forge effective and
comprehensive responses. Nothing less than a massive effort will be needed in order
to strengthen scientific and technological capacity in all regions of the world, and, in
particular, in developing countries.
The still widening North ? South divide in scientific and technological capacity must
be bridged. The countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development spend annually more on research and development than the economic
output of the world?s 61 least developed countries. Developing countries must
address this problem and significantly enhance investment in higher education and
scientific and technological capacity.
Enhanced knowledge sharing, innovation through sound engineering and technology
transfer efforts, including South-South cooperation, will also be needed.
