Hon House Chairperson, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers, particularly my Deputy Minister on Science and Technology, the hon Hanekom, this Protocol on Science, Technology and Innovation was signed by heads of state and governments of the South African Development Community in 2008. They were informed by the premise that science, technology and innovation formed an important tool for socioeconomic development and that there existed a need for a legal framework for co-operation in science, technology and innovation in the SADC region.
The protocol aims, first, to ensure that science, technology and innovation is mainstreamed into socioeconomic development plans in the region. Secondly, it aims to enable the implementation of multilateral science and technology initiatives in the SADC countries, as embodied in the science and technology chapter of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan. Thirdly, it aims to ensure a regional focus within continental programmes, such as those of the African Union, AU, Nepad, the Africa- Europe strategic partnership and other South-South co-operations. The protocol is forward-looking, as it includes the need to drive innovation - an element which is absent in the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan. The objectives of the protocol - there are many, but I will just mention a few important ones - are the establishment of institutional mechanisms in order to strengthen regional co-operation and co-ordination of science, technology and innovation; promoting the development and harmonisation of science and technology policies in the region; pooling resources for scientific research, technological development and innovation within the region; recognising, developing and promoting the value of indigenous knowledge systems and technologies; and increasing access to the teaching and learning of basic science and mathematics at all levels of our education system. So, it is a very important protocol and those are just some of the objectives of this agreement.
The strategic considerations and implications by the ANC-led Department of Science and Technology are that South Africa's prosperity, peace and security are directly dependent on the levels of regional development and integration. These considerations inform South Africa's support for regional development, as expressed, for example, in the Medium-Term Strategic Framework and the strategic consolidated plan of action.
There can be no doubt of the importance of science, technology and innovation to socioeconomic development, especially in an increasingly global knowledge economy. Therefore the development of technology and innovation capacity in the SADC member states is a critical factor in improving regional socioeconomic conditions and enhancing regional economic integration.
The implementation of the protocol requires that South Africa, through the ANC-led Department of Science and Technology, participates in and contributes to regional science and technology initiatives, taking on its fair share of responsibilities for supporting collective activities. For the foreseeable future, such activities can be exploited to focus mainly on capacity development and the promotion of science, technology and innovation policy at a national level, with most of these initiatives taking the form of seminars, workshops and policy dialogues. Gradually, active research co-operation activities may also emerge.
Lastly, it should be pointed out that as the region's science and technology powerhouse, South Africa is increasingly being regarded as an anchor partner for regional initiatives, supported by development partners from the North. In this role, the ANC-led Department of Science and Technology has succeeded in leveraging substantive support for regional initiatives. Although clearly not without risk, this role enhances the country's strategic position within the region and at the interface between SADC and the developed world.
For instance, a central strategic consideration at this point is the Square Kilometre Array, which will make us see the world four billion years ago. It will come to South Africa if we win the bid. There are about nine countries just in our region that are ready to give us the platforms where we can place our dishes that would be looking into the furthest ends of universe. Therefore this is of great strategic importance.
With regard to the financial implications, it is an explicit expectation and requirement of SADC and the science and technology desk that it secures support from international development partners for regional initiatives and that member states contribute to the costs of implementing the protocol. However, in the interim, South Africa will need to incur costs for implementing projects which the Department of Science and Technology is co-ordinating under the SADC protocol, which might otherwise have been accrued by the science and technology desk and/or member states. These costs can be rationalised on the basis of South Africa's strategic interest in providing short to medium-term support for regional development in anticipation of long-term returns resulting from enhanced regional economic integration. Such costs are supported by South Africa across a wide range of other domains and for a variety of purposes, including capacity and infrastructure development, health provision and security. Support for regional science and technology development should be considered in the same context.
Finally, some of the anticipated costs that the ANC-led Department of Science and Technology will be required to fund are also provided for under the ANC-led Department of Science and Technology's line-function budget for the Africa Co-operation Unit, in addition to others under the budget of the International Resources Programme. The latter is responsible for leveraging international resources ... We appeal to this House to support this agreement. Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Science, Technology and Innovation, 1996 in terms of section 231(2) of Constitution approved.