The Project Working Group on Knowledge-based Development (PWG on KBD) is a subsidiary body within the governing structure of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA). It was established following the decision by the Governing Council of SPECA taken at its second session (Berlin, 14 November 2007) to broaden the mandate of the previous Project Working Group on ICT for Development (PWG on ICT) and to form it into the Project Working Group on Knowledge-based Development. The PWG on KBD draws on previous forms of regional cooperation in related areas, in particular, on the work of the SPECA PWG on ICT.   

Project Working Group Activities

National Seminar and Stakeholder Meeting on Promotion and Financing of Innovative Green Technologies
15-17 May 2013, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
The increased application of green technologies is an essential part of Central Asia's climate action. To succeed, the right enabling conditions and policy capacity to support the take-up and diffusion of these technologies need to be in place. Regional cooperation also can play an essential role in this process. The United Nations Development Account (UNDA) project “Building the capacity of SPECA countries to adopt and apply innovative green technologies for climate change adaptation” aims to build capacity of the five SPECA member countries (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan) of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) to adopt and apply innovative green technologies for climate change adaptation and sustainable knowledge-driven growth.
Documents

Joint National Seminar and Stakeholder Meeting on Promotion and Financing of Innovative Green Technologies
7-9 November 2012, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
The United Nations Development Account (UNDA) project “Building the capacity of SPECA countries to adopt and apply innovative green technologies for climate change adaptation” (2012-2013) aims to support the 6 member countries of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) in their efforts to adopt and apply innovative green technologies for climate change adaptation and sustainable knowledge-driven growth.
As part of this project, the first Joint National Seminar, with the participation of stakeholders from the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, will cover two core issues:

• innovation policy for climate change adaptation
• financing aspects for green technology through the PPP model.

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Seminar on Information and Communication Technology Policy and Legal Issues for the Heads of Ministries and Agencies of Turkmenistan 
13-14 June 2012, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
The Seminar covered legal issues in five distinct areas relevant for the sound development of eCommerce and related activities in Turkmenistan, namely: legal infrastructure, legal certainty, legal security, legal protection and legal deterrence. It highlighted and discussed relevant related developments, best practice initiatives at a regional and international level for the reference of ICT policymakers in Turkmenistan.
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Fourth Session of the SPECA Project Working Group on Knowledge-based Development 
25 November 2011, Baku, Azerbaijan
The Session will discuss the revised terms of reference of the Group,  review implementation of its programme of work for 2011 and adopt the draft programme of work of the PWG for 2012-2013.  
Documents  

International Conference on Knowledge-based Development and Innovative Entrepreneurship
24-25 November 2011, Baku, Azerbaijan
The Conference will discuss strategic policy issues related to the promotion of knowledge-based development and innovative entrepreneurship, including the development of a suitable infrastructure. Particular reference will be made to the contribution of information and communication technology (ICT) to these policy aims. 
This is an integrated policy oriented event with components of capacity-building, organized within the framework of the SPECA Project Working Group on Knowledge-based Development.
Documents

Third Session of the SPECA Project Working Group on Knowledge-based Development and
Related Capacity-building Workshop
28-30 September 2010, Astana, Kazakhstan
Documents

Regional Capacity-Building Seminar in the Area of Financing of Innovative Enterprises, Commercialization of Intellectual Property and Public-Private Partnerships
10-11 November 2009, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Documents | Presentations

Second Session of the SPECA Project Working Group on Knowledge-based Development
9 November 2009, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Documents

Inauguration Session of the SPECA Project Working Group on Knowledge-based Development
12 November 2008, Baku, Azerbaijan
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Regional Capacity-building Seminar on Information and Communication Technology Policy and
Legal Issues with Special Reference to eCommerce Development
13-14 November 2008, Baku, Azerbaijan
Programme:  ENG RUS

National Capacity-building Seminar on Information and Communication
Technology Policy and
Legal Issues
1-2 July 2008, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Programme:  ENG RUS

Past Activities:

Project Working Group on ICT for Development

Project Working Group Sessions

National Capacity-building Seminar on Information and Communication Technology Policy and
Legal Issues
30-31 October 2007, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Programme:  ENG RUS

Workshop on Broadband and ICT Development for Improved Communications in Central Asia
21-22 June 2007 , Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Programme:  ENG
Statement:  ENG RUS
Press release:  ENG

Regional Seminar on Capacity-Building for ICT Policymaking in Central Asia
11-14 July 2006, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Agenda :  ENG
Report :  ENG

Inaugural Session
5-6 December 2005, Baku, Azerbaijan
Report:  ENG RUS