The Governing Board of the ISTC held its 44th meeting in Moscow, Russian Federation

STATEMENT OF THE 44th GOVERNING BOARD
OF THE INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER

Moscow, Russian Federation
6 December 2007

The Governing Board of the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) held its 44th 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 expressed its gratitude to Georgia for its contribution to the work of the Board in 2007 and confirmed that Belarus will participate on the Governing Board in 2008 as rotating CIS Board member. It took note of the designation of Prof Kazak as the Belarus Board Member. 

The ISTC approved 28 new projects representing over $1.9 million and Euro 6.1 million in new funding for activities in Russia, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic. These projects highlight important areas of science and technology research and development. The Governing Board announced that approximately $7.6M in new Partner project funding has been provided since its last meeting.

The Governing Board approved the FY 2008 Administrative Operating Budget and Supplemental Budget Programs.

The Governing Board welcomed the exchange of views regarding the ISTC Vision Statement/Strategic Plan and encouraged the Parties and Secretariat to continue to work on the basis of the many common strategic views expressed. The Board looks forward to the completion of internal consideration procedures in capitals.

The Governing Board agreed to establish a small working group with the participation of Board Members Canada, EU, Georgia, Japan, Russia and the U.S., with the purpose of making progress on the issue of double membership. The U.S. Party agreed to host the Working Group meeting in February at a place to be determined.

The Governing Board noted the practical difficulties in implementation of provisions related to confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements. The Board encouraged the Parties to address this and other problematic issues in the document, with a view to reach a resolution by January 20, 2008. 

The Governing Board considered the revised version of new “ISTC Procurement Rules” submitted by the Secretariat. While the Parties reserve the right for further review in the future, the Board agreed that the current version should be used as of January 1, 2008 on a provisional basis, pending final review and adoption at a subsequent Board meeting.

The Governing Board noted the importance of Host Government Concurrence in facilitating the implementation of Partner projects, and encouraged host governments to expedite concurrence procedures.

The Governing Board agreed to convene the next Plenary Session on April 8-10, 2008 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.