CM/Res.1412 (LVI) Rev.1
RESOLUTION ON THE APPLICATION OF BIO-TECHNOLOGIES
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its Fifty -sixth Ordinary Session in Dakar, Senegal, from 22 to 28 June 1992,
Convinced that a scientific research policy adapted to the priority needs and problems of Africa, would contribute to reducing Member States’ dependence on the outside world and promote their individual and collective self-reliance,
Conscious of the importance of advanced technologies, full of promise for the future development of Member States,
Also conscious of the possibilities offered by bio-technologies, particularly in the area of food self-sufficiency, health, environmental protection and natural resources conservation,
Further aware of the difficulties faced in their selection, transfer and adaptation,
Recalling the commitment made at the Brazzaville Congress in 1985 by the scientists in Africa, meeting within the Pan-African Union of Science and Technology, to mobilize themselves and contribute to the scientific renaissance of the continent,
Further recalling:
The conclusions of the Pan-African Symposium of Science and Technology held in Algiers from 1 to 5 February 1992, following the Abidjan meeting (November 1991) in preparation for the UNCED, leading to the establishment of an African Agenda for Bio- technologies;
The conclusions incorporated in the UNESCO/ROSTA Report on the bio-technology in Africa, as well as the studies conducted by UNCED Secretariat.
Resolved, within the spirit of the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community, to take all the necessary measures to enable Member States draw up and implement joint scientific research and technological development programs:
TAKES NOTE of the Report CM/1733 (LVI) of the OAU Secretary-General, on the Application of Bio-technologies in Africa;
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EXPRESSES ITS SATISFACTION at the Pan-African Union of Science and Technology (PUST) for having included in its Program of Activities, the convening in 1993 of a Regional Seminar on the Working Out and Implementation of Bio-technological Strategies in Africa;
CALLS UPON the Member States to participate actively in this Seminar;
EXPRESSES SATISFACTION with t he establishment of the African Agency for Bio-technology as special instrument for the promotion of African cooperation in the field of bio-technology and CALLS ON Member States which have not yet jointed, to do so;
APPEALS to international institutions and agencies of the United Nations System to contribute to the organization of this Seminar and the implementation of the programs of the African Agency for Bio-technology.