Statement 

on the occasion of the 15th Anniversary of the 
International Science and Technology Center (ISTC)
by the ISTC Governing Board

10 December 2009

Fifteen years ago, the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) was founded at a critical moment for the scientific communities of the Russian Federation and the other countries of the former Soviet Union. Since that time, these communities have regained much of their potential. New networks of national and international scientific contact have been built and many new partnerships have been forged as an outcome of ISTC’s projects and programs. Over US$ 800 million in funding provided through the Center has supported more than 2,600 research projects involving approximately 90,000 scientists and engineers. In the course of these activities, the ISTC has facilitated the advance of basic science, supported the creation and commercialization of new technologies, enhanced the development of biotechnology and medical advances and assisted in development of technologies designed to protect the environment and to provide safe energy solutions. International innovation has expanded as a result of the constructive engagement of partners in the programs of the ISTC. Today the ISTC remains a vital resource for the scientific community and an effective mechanism for facilitating cooperation on science and technology development. 

Over these 15 years, challenges have become more global in character. The spread of pandemic disease, international terrorism, the effects of climate change, the evolution of weapons of mass destruction and the threat of their proliferation, and the need to guarantee a safe period for the renaissance of civilian nuclear power are just some of the problems, which would require science and technology support to be addressed. Similarly, the pace of scientific advance, particularly in biotechnology, has been matched by an ease of access to scientific know-how that carries both benefit and threat. The ISTC has responded throughout this period by developing new, focused science and technology initiatives that contribute to global well-being and proactively anticipate global challenges. 

ISTC’s success has been recognized by all Parties. In addition to its regular project funding and training programs, ISTC has complemented its initial mission by developing an array of tools to attract private sector Partners and to promote commercialization of research results.

The ISTC Governing Board considers that an effective scientist engagement and partnership approach, such as that undertaken by ISTC, needs a transformation process in order to address matters of global security concern. It therefore has decided to launch such a process to achieve these goals. The Governing Board expresses its willingness to play a role in forthcoming discussions on programs of international science and technology cooperation to incorporate the experience gained by ISTC over the past 15 years. 

ISTC has proven to be an effective instrument of international scientific cooperation. Over its 15–year history, the ISTC has brought together many scientists and researchers to engage in important and groundbreaking work. The ISTC has become an increasingly valuable player in international nonproliferation and scientific cooperation and an excellent mechanism for implementing collaborative science and technology projects and initiatives. 

The Governing Board of the ISTC takes this opportunity to express its special gratitude to all those inpiduals who brought the ISTC into existence and to all who have labored over the years to bring the vision of its creators to fruition. The Governing Board is thankful to Armenia, Belarus, Canada, the European Union, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan and the United States of America for the support of the work of the ISTC. The Governing Board also wishes to record its grateful recognition of the dedicated personnel of the ISTC Secretariat and of the Russian Federation’s contributions in hosting the Headquarters of the ISTC, and its assistance and support of the Secretariat’s activity in Moscow.

The ISTC will continue to strive to ensure that the outcome of its work, and the commitment of the Parties it represents, will lead to further scientific progress to the benefit of all.