by: Razaile Elaine Besa (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Development Cooperation) and Mary Rose Anne Almazan (International Technology Cooperation Unit)

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) hosted its 1st Development Partners Forum on 30 May 2024 at the Dusit Thani Manila, Makati City, with the theme “Development Cooperation in Science, Technology, and Innovation for a Smart and Sustainable Philippines.” The event gathered 150 high-level attendees consisting of heads and representatives of key international development organizations, diplomats from foreign embassies, and officials from the national government agencies. It emphasized the importance of cooperation and partnerships in addressing complex and interconnected challenges through Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI). Presentations of priorities of partners from bilateral and multilateral development organizations were found to interlock closely with DOST’s priority outcome pillars of (i) Human Well-being; (ii) Wealth Creation; (iii) Wealth Protection; and (iv) Sustainability. Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Finance (DOF), and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) were also able to share and discuss practices, experiences, and guidelines of respective agencies in pursuit of sustainable development.

With the aim to share to partners the DOST’s Strategic Plan 2023-2028, DOST officials provided an overview of the Department’s priorities and programs. Leading the discussion, Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. presented a rundown of existing initiatives and technologies developed within the DOST system. These were subsumed within the eleven (11) program portfolios, aligned to the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Gustavo Gonzalez recognized the dynamic role of the DOST in balancing advancement on technological transformations and the impact of changes in business models and public sector. He shared three elements that are recurrent topics in global discussions on supporting countries in STI – inclusiveness, challenges of digitalization, and financing STI. “STI policies and regulations have to evolve in a complex inter-agency and multi-sectoral environment preserving a people-centered understanding of development becomes a priority,” he added. His statements complement Secretary Solidum’s vision for DOST which is to provide more impact and more meaning for the scientific community as part of the national and global effort to eradicate poverty, to become resilient to climate and disasters threats, to overcome many challenges that ordinary Filipinos and other countries are also facing.

The respective roles of National Government Agencies (NGAs) as part of the whole-of-government approach also strengthen the mandate of DOST as the lead agency in the advancement of STI. They have acquainted the plenary on avenues to ensure that STI strategies are in sync with the timeline of achieving the country’s socio-economic global development goals.

When asked about DOST’s tagline of providing solutions and opening opportunities, Secretary Solidum said during the panel discussion that “the mere fact of providing scholarships or assisting through technologies, we have opened a lot of opportunities for our Filipino people. So, that is why, DOST is known not as an agency that focuses on one service. DOST provides lots of interventions.” On top of STI, the Secretary added that “collaboration by many stakeholders would be a game changer, the transformative agents for social and economic development.”

Presentations of international development partners boosted opportunities to explore potential partnerships in promoting existing DOST programs, projects, and activities. Existing multilateral and bilateral development partners including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank (WB), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), US Agency for International Development (USAID), along with the development programs from the diplomatic missions of Australia, European Union, and United Kingdom revitalized mutually beneficial engagements. The DOST likewise reinforced its visibility to other potential development partners including UN Agencies, among others.

The dialogue between development partners framed a global perspective in synergizing ideas on STI and the future of sustainable development in the Philippines. Questions from the audience propelled guided interventions from experts and partners on the ways forward particularly on the flagship programs and projects of both ends.

Alongside the forum, a dedicated exhibit showcasing the technology on high-blend natural textile fiber and eco-friendly textiles from DOST-PTRI stirred conversation among participants during health breaks. The display includes traditional dresses using Philippine Tropical Fabrics, shoes, and accessories promoting indigenous designs which are becoming a common trend -- worn and promoted by public servants during official functions.

Photos:

(L-R) DOST Undersecretary for Scientific and Technical Services Maridon Sahagun; DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho Mabborang; DOST Assistant Secretary for Technology Transfer, Communications and Commercialization Napoleon Juanillo, Jr.; Ms. Karen Hipol (UK Embassy); Mr. Jaroslaw Sczczepankiewicz (Embassy of Poland); UN Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez; DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr.; H.E. Titanilla Toth (Embassy of Hungary); Ms. Cristina Lozano (ADB); H.E. Michel Parys (Embassy of Belgium); DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Ambrosio Brian Enciso III; NEDA Assistant Secretary Jonathan Uy; (Below L-R) Christoph Wagner (EU); H.E. Christian Halaas Lyster (Embassy of Norway); Mr. Selva Ramachandran (UNDP); H.E. Karel Hejc (Czech Embassy); DOF Assistant Secretary Donalyn Minimo; Undersecretary for Special Concerns Teodoro Gatchalian; Assistant Secretary for Development Cooperation Rodolfo Calzado; Jr.; Ms. Clarissa David (WB); Ms. Fereshteh Rafieian (UNESCO); and DOST Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs Diana Ignacio.

 DOST Officials, Speakers, and Attendees of the 1st Development Partners Forum

 DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. delivers his Keynote Message

 Ms. Ada-Stina Pesamaa, member of the EU delegation, visits the Philippine Tropical Fabrics Exhibit

Panel discussion with bilateral development partners from EU, USAID, JICA, Australian Embassy, and British Embassy in Manila

Panel discussion with DOST Executive Officials and representatives of multilateral development partners from UNDP and World Bank

(L-R) H.E. Christian Halaas Lyster (Norway), Mr. Gustavo Gonzales (UN RC), Mr. Selva Ramachandran (UNDP), Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr. and Assistant Secretary Rodolfo Calzado, Jr. gather for a warm welcome.