Statement of the 39th Governing Board

The Governing Board of the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) held its 39th meeting in Moscow, Russian Federation. The Governing Board thanked the Russian Federation for the substantial progress in preparing the new premises and for the enormous support provided to the Secretariat for the successful move.

Representatives from 11 ISTC Parties attended with Canada, the European Union, Japan, Russian Federation, United States of America, and Armenia represented on the Governing Board. Armenia participated as rotating CIS Board member.

The Governing Board extended the nomination of Dr. Ronald F. Lehman II (US) in the position of Governing Board Chairman through 01 April 2007.

The Governing Board thanked the departing EU Board member Mr. Achilleas Mitsos for his excellent performance and welcomed the new EU GB member, Mr. Jose Manuel Silva Rodriguez. The Governing Board approved the nomination put forward by the Japanese government of Mr. Daichi Takeuchi for the position of Deputy Executive Director for a two-year period beginning 15 April 2006 and thanked departing Toshihiko Oguru and Sergey Zykov, the Russian Principal Deputy Executive Director, for their successful performance.

The ISTC approved 43 new projects representing over $5.6 million and Euro 5.0 million in new funding for activities in Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazahkstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic. These projects highlight important areas of science and technology research and development.

The Governing Board announced that 32 Partner projects totaling nearly $9.4 million have been approved since the previous meeting. ISTC Partners are private sector, intergovernmental, governmental, and non-governmental organizations that provide funds to engage CIS scientists in peaceful research projects. Total ISTC project funding in all categories now surpasses US $713 million for more than 2310 projects.

The Governing Board approved the list of ten science and technology areas to be further developed under the Programmatic Approach activity, which includes instruments & technology for radiation medicine, global climate change, space, aeronautics, disease surveillance in Central Asia, and others.

The Governing Board approved the recommendations made by the Secretariat aiming at speeding up project start up after funding decision and supported the new Law Enforcement Targeted Initiative – Implementation Plan.

The Governing Board agreed to convene the next Plenary Session in Erevan, Armenia, on 28 June 2006.

List of projects approved for funding by ISTC Governing Board at the 39th Funding Session.