Knowledge, education, information and innovation have been identified as the key drivers of economic growth and poverty reduction in today’s globalised world, but to accelerate and sustain this growth, there must be appropriate science, technology and innovation (STI) policy and strategy, thus the development and launch of such a document for Seychelles. The Science, Technology & Innovation Policy and Strategy 2016-2025 is the first to be produced by the National Institute for Science, Technology and Innovation (Nisti) since its enactment and establishment in 2014.

Vice-President Vincent Meriton, in his capacity as the chairperson of the high level steering committee for knowledge-based economy, opened the session to officially launch the document at the Eden Bleu Hotel yesterday morning.

In the foreword of the 65-page document, VP Meriton stated that it was in September 2015 at an historic United Nations summit in New York that world leaders from 193 member countries adopted the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development. It urges nations to develop and adopt policies and strategies to ensure that the 169 targets of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are attained in the next 14 years.

“Agenda 2030 also recognises the key role science, technology and innovation play in attaining these goals,” VP Meriton said.

“The government of Seychelles not only recognises the importance of STI in attaining the SDGs but also the larger role that knowledge plays in socio-economic development,” VP Meriton added.

The policy is structured to address and strengthen the four key pillars of a knowledge-based economy identified by the World Bank which are: more economic incentives and policies; a more educated, knowledgeable and skilled workforce; an efficient national innovation system; and a modern and adequate information infrastructure. VP Meriton has affirmed the government’s commitment to fully support the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of these policy initiatives and put in place the necessary institutional mechanisms to push for this transformation.