Statement of the 42nd Governing Board

The Governing Board of the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) held its 42nd meeting in Moscow, Russian Federation.

Representatives from 12 ISTC Parties attended with Canada, the European Union, Japan, Russian Federation, United States of America, and Georgia represented on the Governing Board. Georgia participated as rotating CIS Board member.

The Governing Board was informed by the Executive Director that the secretariat has received a Diplomatic Note from the Swiss Embassy in Moscow stating the formal intention of Switzerland to accede to the ISTC. The Governing Board welcomed the future accession of Switzerland to the ISTC and requested Switzerland to submit its instruments of accession following the completion of its internal procedures. The Secretariat has been requested to work with Switzerland to develop the implementing financial memorandum and to submit these instruments of accession and the Memorandum as soon as possible for final approval at one of the next meetings.

The Governing Board approved the nomination of Mr. Sergey Vorobyov as Principal Deputy Executive Director (Russia) for a two-year period starting April 16, 2007.

The ISTC approved 22 new projects representing over $1.3 million and Euro 4.6 million in new funding for activities in Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic. These projects highlight important areas of science and technology research and development. The Governing Board announced that 24 new Partners have joined the ISTC and that approximately $6.5M in new Partner project funding since its last meeting.

The Governing Board approved a general revision the ISTC Project Proposal Package intended to improve the readability of the Package and raise the quality of ISTC project proposals.

The Governing Board considered the Vision Statement and Strategic Plan submitted by the Secretariat. It stressed the importance of an appropriate vision and strategy for the future of the ISTC consistent with the ISTC agreement. The Board decided upon the creation of a dedicated Working Group, with up to 2 representatives from each permanent Board Party, that will continue work with the Secretariat on a strategic plan for the ISTC. It looks forward to receiving a report from the Working Group at its next meeting.

The Board took note of the Executive Secretariat’s report on Double Membership. The Board considered the issue of improving relations between the ISTC and the STCU and increasing administrative efficiency. The Board welcomed the progress made in establishing a mechanism between the two Centers that enables Institutes from across the region to cooperate in both regular and Partner projects. The Board requested that the ED hold further consultations with all parties and report back at the November Board meeting on all aspects of improving administration, including in terms of membership. The Board entrusted its chairman to inform the STCU chairman of its deliberations.

The Board heard a presentation of the final report by the independent consultant appointed by the ISTC following appropriate Board approval at GBM41 of the ISTC procurement activities. It took note of the findings, in particular that significant improvements in the procurement policy have been introduced since 2003. It welcomed the overall conclusion that the ISTC procurement operations are at a level found in other international organizations. It requested the Executive Director to follow up on the individual recommendations to further implement best practices.

The Governing Board agreed to convene the next Plenary Session in Dushanbe on 29 June 2007.

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