Welcome to the United Nations
About CSTD
The Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) is a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It was established in 1992 to provide the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council with high-level advice on relevant issues through analysis and appropriate policy recommendations or options in order to enable those organs to guide the future work of the United Nations, develop common policies and agree on appropriate actions.
The Commission is also mandated to assist the Economic and Social Council in the system-wide follow-up to the World Summit on the Information Society.
The Commission met for the first time in April 1993 in New York, USA. Since July 1993, the UNCTAD Secretariat has been responsible for the substantive servicing of the Commission. The Commission has subsequently met in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Commission acts as a forum for:
- the examination of science and technology questions and their implications for development;
- the advancement of understanding on science and technology policies, particularly in respect of developing countries and;
- the formulation of recommendations and guidelines on science and technology matters within the United Nations system.
The Commission meets annually for a period of one week.
The Commission has 43 member States, elected by ECOSOC for a term of four years. It has eleven members from African States; nine members from Asian States; eight members from Latin American and Caribbean States; five members from Eastern European States; and ten members from Western European and other States.
At each session, the Commission elects a new Bureau (a chairperson and four vice-chairpersons) for the next session. The Bureau assumes responsibilities for the forthcoming activities during the inter-sessional period.