Statement of the 45th Governing Board

The Governing Board of the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) held its 45th meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Representatives of ISTC Parties attended, including Canada, the European Union, Japan, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, United States of America, and Belarus. Belarus participated as rotating CIS Board member.

The Governing Board approved the extension of Ronald Lehman as Chairman of the Board through April 2010.

The Governing Board expressed appreciation that Mr. Adriaan Van der Meer will assume the position of Executive Director from 1 May 2008.

The Governing Board considered the candidate proposed by the Japanese Party for the position of Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Yasuhiro Yukimatsu. The Board confirmed the nomination of Mr. Yukimatsu for a two-year term starting 7 July 2008.

The ISTC approved 20 new projects representing over $1.8 million and Euro 2.8 million in new funding for activities in Russia, Tajikistan, Armenia, Georgia, Belarus, and Kyrgyz Republic. These projects highlight important areas of science and technology research and development. The Governing Board announced that approximately $3.6 million in new Partner project funding has also been provided since its last meeting.

The Governing Board approved the Terms of Reference of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). The Governing Board has confirmed Mr. Jun Sugimoto as the Chairperson of SAC. The Governing Board has been informed about a new, second Canadian Member of SAC, Mr. Henry Mantsch.

The Governing Board approved the general revision of the ISTC “proposal package” relating to non-disclosure agreements and IPR.

The Governing Board approved the selection of Moore-Stevens as auditor for ISTC during 2008-2009 after an evaluation of the tender documents.

The Governing Board encouraged the Secretariat to prepare an Implementation Plan for the Strategic Plan as soon as possible, defining the various tasks that will enable the transition/transformation of ISTC activities to proceed as defined within the Vision & Plan. The Russian Party informed the Board that it is currently making efforts to elaborate an official RF position on the document within the nearest term.

The Governing Board considered the procurement rules and agreed that the current version should be further used on a provisional basis. The Secretariat was requested to consider additional comments received by the Parties and to submit the revised document for further review at the next Board meeting.

The Governing Board acknowledged that the Scientific Subscription Initiative has been a valuable activity whose co-funding between interested Parties and Government Partners should continue. The Board also noted favorably the discussions underway between the Secretariat and the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) about possible RAS co-funding for this activity, and encouraged a positive outcome to these discussions.

The Governing Board agreed to convene the next Board Meeting July 17, 2008, in Moscow, Russian Federation.

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