Kenya engages global leaders on science and innovation at UN CSTD Session
Date: 2026-04-23
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Kenya
has strengthened international collaboration on science, technology and
innovation following a series of high-level bilateral engagements on the
sidelines of the 29th session of the United Nations Commission on Science and
Technology for Development.
Leading
the Kenyan delegation, Shaukat Abdulrazak, Principal Secretary in the State
Department for Science, Research and Innovation, held discussions with key
global leaders on advancing research, innovation policy, and digital
transformation.
Among the engagements was a bilateral meeting with Noureddine Ouadah, Algeria’s Minister of the Knowledge Economy, Start-ups, and Micro-enterprise, which focused on increasing Africa’s investment in research and development to at least one percent of GDP, as well as advancing the implementation of an Africa Research Fund and an African Union startup council.
The
Kenyan delegation also engaged with Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of
the International Telecommunication Union, on issues related to global digital
cooperation, and with Bonginkosi Nzimande, South Africa’s Minister of Science,
Technology and Innovation, on strengthening capacity through research chairs
and centres of excellence aligned with Agenda 2063 and Science, Technology and
Innovation Strategy for Africa 2034.
Further
discussions with Michał Gramatyka, Poland’s Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs,
explored emerging technologies including satellite systems, drone manufacturing
and applications, and strategies to address digital divides.
The
engagements covered broader themes such as science, technology and innovation
for development, artificial intelligence governance, data governance, technical
cooperation, and the societal impact of emerging technologies. Emphasis was
also placed on strengthening partnerships, enhancing capacity building, and
aligning innovation policies with sustainable development priorities.
The
meetings reflect Kenya’s continued efforts to position science, technology and
innovation as key drivers of economic growth and regional integration, while
deepening collaboration with global partners to address shared development
challenges.
