On 21 November 2019, Moscow hosted the 5th Meeting
of the Heads of Science and Technology Ministries and Departments of the SCO
Member States, also attended by SCO observer states and dialogue partners. The
Russian Federation was represented by Minister of Science and Higher Education
Mikhail Kotyukov and First Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Grigory
Trubnikov.
The participants discussed the implementation of the Action
Plan for Implementation of the SCO Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation
in Science and Technology for 2016-2020, as well as the implementation of the
Cooperation in Science and New technology section of the draft list of measures
to further expand project activities within the SCO in 2017-2021. The
implementation of decisions from the previous meeting was recognised as
successful.
The heads of the delegations accepted the information on the implementation of the 2019-2020 Plan of Practical Measures (Roadmap) for Cooperation among Research Institutions of the SCO Member States and instructed the Permanent Working Group to draft a new plan for 2021-2022.
The participants also exchanged views on the development of mechanisms for supporting and coordinating science and technology cooperation between the SCO member states. The meeting participants unanimously agreed on the need for further steps to simplify access to the scientific research infrastructure, including Mega-Science class units in the SCO member states, for individual specialists and research groups, taking into consideration each countrys national legislation. In addition, the heads of the delegations reaffirmed the importance of the exchange of experts and scientists as part of science and technology cooperation.
The 6th Meeting of the Heads of Science and
Technology Ministries and Departments of the SCO Member States was scheduled
for 2020 in Pakistan.
Following the meeting, a protocol was signed.
The official website of the Russian presidency of the SCO: https://sco-russia2020.ru/
The official photo bank of the Russian presidency of the SCO: https://sco-russia2020.ru/multimedia/