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STI Forum 2021 Session 3: Effective paths towards the SDGs: STI for transforming economies toward equity, sustainability and climate action

Tuesday, 04 May 2021
Presenter: 
Honorable RENATO U. SOLIDUM, JR., Undersecretary for Scientific and Technical Services, Department of Science and Technology, Republic of the Philippines
Location: 
New York, USA

 

Excellencies and distinguished delegates,

Good morning from the Philippines.

We would like to thank the co-chairs, Ambassador Mohammad Koba of Indonesia and Ambassador Andrejs Pildegovičs of Latvia for this opportunity to share our national experiences.

The Philippines, through the Department of Science and Technology, harnesses science, technology, and innovation to promote equity and address potential but preventable disasters arising from climate change and natural hazards.

The Philippines applies data science in climate change adaptation      and disaster risk reduction and management. We use data from our very own Diwata-1 & -2 microsatellites and Maya-1 & -2 cube satellites. The data are gathered and analyzed through the Philippine Earth Data Resource and Observation Center (PEDRO) and high-performance computing and cloud facility called “Computing and Archiving Research Environment” (COARE). Through these satellite data, we can further monitor the Philippines’ environmental and agricultural conditions such as climate, weather, flooding, drought, land covers, and air quality.

We have established the GeoRiskPH Platform to collect and      readily provide information      for planning and decision-making in line with disaster risk reduction and management. The country has recognized the strategic advantage of a nationally consistent hazard and exposure information that is accessible to all stakeholders and has thus extended its influence to international partners.

The Philippines expands the application of STI to build more sustainable and resilient communities. We have implemented the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP 4.0), a nationwide strategy that equips our MSMEs for Industry 4.0. and the Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST), which provides S&T interventions to marginalized and economically disadvantaged      communities.  Moreso, during this pandemic, the Philippines refocuses its S&T interventions to aid in economic recovery. The Philippine government implements science-based livelihood programs for countryside development, technical assistance, and technology transfer for MSMEs, joint COVID-19 projects with the academe and industry, and funding for research and development and technology business incubation to support startups.

Excellencies, we are duty-bound to ensure that our society benefits from technological advancements, and is able to adapt to the rapidly changing environment of innovation. We express our appreciation to the ECOSOC and the STI Forum Secretariat for organizing platforms such as this Forum, where we can benchmark and recommend policies and programs that will cater to the needs of the most vulnerable countries and sectors to ensure equity, sustainability and resilience in the attainment of the SDGs.

Thank you. [END]