Member Countries:
Armenia
EU
Georgia
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyz Republic
Norway
Republic of Korea
Tajikistan
United StatesStatement of the 36th Governing Board
STATEMENT OF THE 36th GOVERNING BOARD
OF THE INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER
Almaty, Kazakhstan
11 April 2005
The Governing Board of the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) held its 36th meeting in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Representatives from 12 ISTC Parties attended with Canada, the European Union, Japan, Russian Federation, United States of America, and Tajikistan represented on the Governing Board. Tajikistan participated as rotating CIS Board member.
The ISTC approved 24 new projects representing over $1.8 million and Euro 3.5 million in new funding for activities in Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and the Republic of Tajikistan. These projects highlight important areas of science and technology research and development: studies of plague antigens; early cancer diagnostics; safe usage and storage of industrial fuels; sensors for detection of contraband and dangerous materials.
The Governing Board announced that 35 Partner projects totaling nearly $15.9 million have been approved since the previous meeting, and noted the expanding participation of Partners in ISTC activities. 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 $657 million for nearly 2,140 projects.
The Governing Board invited the Republic of Armenia to participate on the Governing Board for a period of one year, and thanked the Republic of Tajikistan for its service during the previous year.
The Governing Board approved the principles of a new Administrative Operating Budget, allowing for costs to be attributed to specific program activities. Further, the Board supported an efficiency study to examine areas in which ISTC may improve its effectiveness and reduce operational costs.
The Governing Board announced its approval of the working agreement between the ISTC and the Science Technology Center in Ukraine, which will facilitate joint projects between scientists from CIS countries working with either ISTC or STCU.
The Governing Board reviewed the themes and ideas raised at the ISTC 10 Year Anniversary Conference, instructing the Secretariat to further develop these ideas and make concrete proposals on how ISTC may integrate its nonproliferation efforts and improve coordination with other major international programs.
The Governing Board thanked the Republic of Kazakhstan for the excellent organization of the meetings, and noted the visit to the Institute of Nuclear Physics planned for the following day. The Governing Board agreed to convene its next Plenary Session meeting in Moscow on 28 October 2005.
List of projects approved for funding by ISTC Governing Board at the 36th Funding Session.
