All the African Union member states will be represented at the five-day Nepad Ministerial Conference that started in Johannesburg today.

The department said the conference would seek means of building political constituencies for science and technology development in Africa, including establishing a permanent Ministerial Forum or Council to sustain the process, a platform for science and technology dialogue and policy-making and analysis.

"Raising awareness of the significance of science and technology into concrete research and development activities and innovations that contribute towards making a difference in the political and socio-economic lives of the people, by helping them create wealth and reduce poverty," said the department.

It would also provide a forum for ministers of science and technology, and advisors to formulate common positions on issues emerging in international debate and negotiations, including dialogue on ethical, social and economic issues associated with the development and application of modern biotechnology.

The Conference is expected to decide and commit itself to the development and strengthening of centres of excellence and their networks in support of science and technology, institution-building and human resource development to address the challenges of poverty reduction in Africa.

Source: BuaNews