International Conference on knowledge-based development
Minsk, Belarus, 10-12 June 2009
Geneva, 8 June 2009 --
Innovation is a major factor of economic dynamism and increased prosperity in modern economies. Knowledge-based development provides the foundation for successful strategies promoting economic diversification and better integration in the world economy.
New products and processes are the result of a system of complex interactions between firms, research institutions and specialized financial intermediaries. In all countries, the public sector plays a critical role in fostering innovation, facilitating coordination, providing strategic guidance, allocating resources and defining the basic legal and regulatory framework.
What are the elements of effective innovation policies? How to ensure that financing is not a bottleneck for the emergence of innovative enterprises? What are the appropriate actions to facilitate the protection and commercialization of intellectual property rights? How to build public-private partnerships to foster innovative development and competitive economies?
This International Conference will discuss these questions, which define the core of a knowledge-based development agenda. The event has attracted great interest among the countries with economies in transition of Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia. Presentations on national experiences in this subregion will be complemented by a wider discussion of the lessons derived from international practices by leading experts. The wide participation expected will provide ample opportunity for networking and policy learning.
The International Conference on Knowledge-based Development is jointly organized by UNECE and the State Committee for Science and Technology of Belarus in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the United Nations Development Programme Office in Belarus and the Belarusian Institute of System Analysis and Information Support of the Scientific and Technical Sphere.
For further information, please contact:
Rumen Dobrinsky
Chief, Innovative Policies Development Section
UNECE Economic Cooperation and Integration Division
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Phone: +41 (0)22 917-2487
Fax: +41 (0)22 917-0178
E-mail: [email protected]
José Palacín
Economic Affairs Officer
UNECE Economic Cooperation and Integration Division
Phone: +41 (0)22 917-1643
Fax: +41 (0)22 917-0178
E-mail: [email protected]
Ref: ECE/ECID/09/P03