The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) represented the Philippines in the United Nations S&T Global Cooperation Exhibit in Switzerland organized by the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) Secretariat.
The exhibit, held from April 15 to 19 at the sidelines of the 27th annual session of the CSTD, is guided by one of the priority themes of the Commission, “Global cooperation on science, technology, and innovation for development,” to facilitate knowledge-sharing and promote collaboration. It featured impactful innovations by 17 exhibitors consisting of CSTD member states, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and other parties active in science, technology and innovation, and international cooperation.
From left: Dr. Ronaldo Parreño Jr of DOST-ITDI; Permanent Representative Ambassador Carlos Sorreta of the Philippine Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva; Buendia; Balagot
DOST showcased three initiatives: Fuel cell research and development and testing center; a joint research on Philippine tannins, and; the science, engineering, technology, and innovation (SETI) and social sciences, human sciences, education, culture, and communication and information (Secci) for sustainable development goals (SDGs) scorecards. The fuel cell R&D and testing center aims to establish a dedicated facility that contributes vital research and innovative testing solutions in developing and adopting localized fuel cell technology. It benefited from the DOST- Industrial Technology Development Institute’s knowledge exchange with the University of Birmingham and research visits at the Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and University of Tsukuba.
Parreño explains the Fuel Cell R&D and Testing Center
Senior Research Specialist II Kim Wilmer Balagot, on the other hand, featured DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute’s research on Philippine tannins, a natural source of phenolics used in fiber dyeing. DOST-FPRDI partnered with Bern University of Applied Sciences and received funding support from the Swiss National Science Foundation.
Balagot explains the research on tannins (Photo by Dr Ronaldo Parreño Jr)
The Philippines’ booth also featured the DOST Davao Regional Office’s cooperation with the Unesco Office in Jakarta. Through this cooperation, the SETI and Secci for SDGs Scorecards were developed. These measure the science, engineering, technology, and innovation contributions, and the social and human sciences, education, culture, and communication and information contributions to the SDGs targets and indicators.
At her special address during the CSTD exhibit launch, DOST Undersecretary Leah J. Buendia said that multifaceted global challenges such as in disaster and climate, health, poverty eradication, and food security may be addressed through the help of science, technology, and innovation. To highlight global cooperation, Buendia briefed the audience about the featured initiatives of the Philippines. “This shows that if we put our minds and hands together, we can achieve something that can be part not only of national advantage but of global solution. Global cooperation in STI can be maximized for the benefit of the entire environment and humankind.”
Buendia delivers the Philippines’ special address at the CSTD exhibit launch
Apart from Buendia, Kozo Honsei, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva also delivered a special address following the opening remarks of UNCtad Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan. (Karen Lou Mabagos/DOST)