UNESCO is working closely with the China Science and Technology Exchange Centre, as part of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of China in developing and testing the Applicable Technology Manual (2^nd Edition): South-South Cooperation on Science and Technology to Address Climate Change, which was officially launched during COP17 meeting in Durban, South Africa. In addition to this publication, a Network/Platform for International Science and Technology Cooperation: Address Climate Change and Achieve Sustainable Development is also being developed. To successfully achieve the goals outlined for the manual and disseminate the associated technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology has proposed to establish a UNESCO Chair at the Beijing Institute of Technology and the China Science and Technology Exchange Centre. The main focus of this Chair position is to promote knowledge dissemination, technology development and transfer, and information sharing among developing countries on applicable technology for Climate Change.

On the 5^th of April 2012, this Chair was officially launched at the Beijing Institute of Technology. During the meeting, Prof Hu Haiyan President of the Beijing Institute of Technology, acknowledged the support from and faith in UNESCO and the Ministry of Science and Technology in establishing this Chair at their University. Prof Hu promised to provide all possible support for this Chair to achieve its goal.

Prof Gretchen Kalonji, Assistant Director General for Natural Sciences of UNESCO congratulated the Beijing Institute of Technology and thanked the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of China for committing the necessary financial support to enable activities under this Chair to be implemented.

Prof Hu and Prof Kalonji jointly nominated the Chair holders. The Chair holder, Prof Liu Yun, has more than 15 years of experience in Science and Technology Management and, at present, is Director of the Research Centre for Scientific Evaluation and Innovation Management. The Co-Chair holder, Mr Wang Yang, is Director of International Talent and Training at the China Science and Technology Exchange Center. His interest is mainly focused on technology development and training.

The launching ceremony was witnessed by Mr Singh, Director and UNESCO Representative, Beijing Office, Mr Chen Linhao, Deputy Director-General of Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of China and several other national experts as well as UN experts from UNPD and UNEP based in Beijing.

To download the 2^nd Edition of Applicable Technology Manual Click here

For further information on technology transfer contact:

R. Jayakumar, UNESCO Office in Beijing (r.jayakumar@unesco.org)