UNDP Embarks on a New Innovation and Development Partnership with COSTI
UNDP partners with the Coordinating Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research,on further development of the Innovations Dashboard
The United Nations Development Programmeentered in to a memorandum of understanding with the Coordinating Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) today, for the further development of the National Innovations Dashboard.
COSTI, established in 2013, is the leading government body responsible for coordinating and monitoring all science, technology and innovations activities in the country. The Secretariat also works towards the promotion of value addition in line with the National Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy of Sri Lanka.
As the development arm of the United Nations, UNDP recognizes the importance of steering away from the business-as-usual approach to respond to current developmental challenges in order to bring about innovative solutions to achieve sustainable human development. Working with the people and the Government of Sri Lanka for over five decades, UNDP Sri Lanka working with COSTI willfacilitate greater public engagement and crowd-sourcing of innovative ideas that can contribute towards solving development challenges in Sri Lanka.
Country Director of UNDPin Sri Lanka, Mr. Jorn Sorensen and Project Director of COSTIProf. Ajith de Alwis signed the memorandum of understanding consolidating a partnership which will bring the discourse on Science, Technology and Innovation into the forefront in Sri Lanka.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Sorensen stated,“It is very heartening for UNDP to work with a public sector partner to drive forward the integration of innovations to solvenational developmental challenges. Together, I believe we can place Sri Lanka as a leader in the journey of innovations.”
Prof. de Alwis highlighted that “We are very privileged to partner with UNDP. It is truly a blessing for us to move forward with this partnership in the further development of the innovations dashboard, especially as COSTI is focused on using unconventional pathways in pursuing innovations. We hope this partnership will be a fruitful and positive endeavor for both parties”
The Innovations Dashboard will seek to engage Sri Lankans in the quest to integrate innovation into our daily activities which will create space for people-centered development, as reiterated in the call for people’s engagement in achieving the recently launched Global Goals for Sustainable Development.
