On 7 October 2020, UNESCO, represented by Mr. Jean-Yves Le Saux, Director of the Bureau of Strategic Planning, and Sweden, represented by Mr Mikael Schultz, Deputy Permanent Delegate of Sweden to UNESCO, signed a pathbreaking agreement to support science, technology and innovation in Africa. Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Assistant Director General for the Natural Science Sector and Magnus Magnusson, representing Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director General for the Social and Human Science Sector, Pia Engstrand, Sida’s focal point for UNESCO (through virtual connection) were also present at the ceremony and will jointly oversee the implementation of this initiative.
The Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) will provide funding in the amount of 25 million Swedish kronor over two years (2020-2022) to support the first phase of a major initiative within UNESCO’s global framework for monitoring, policy support and advocacy for the Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers, adopted by the General Conference in 2017.