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"The Eighth African Science, Technology and Innovation Forum opened in Addis Ababa on Sunday, with calls to improve governance, strengthen institutions and enhance coordination between countries. Footage shows representatives of African UN member states, the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank and regional economic communities attending the forum. The event examined the role of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation in addressing urban challenges and unlocking opportunities for sustainable urban development. “Africa does not lack ideas. Africa does not lack strategy. Africa lacks execution at scale,” said Monica Musenero Masanza, Uganda's Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation. Claver Gatete, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, said that internet usage had decreased by 3 percent on the continent in 2025 compared to the previous year. "The continent's contribution to global innovation is also limited, accounting for only 0.6% of global patent applications, despite representing nearly one-fifth of the world's population," he added. "These are signals of untapped potential, but also of urgent gaps, we must close." Rita Bissoonauth, UNESCO’s Representative to the African Union, the Economic Commission for Africa, and Ethiopia, called for strong policies, institutions, and investment in human capital. "Transformation requires not only technology, but also strong policies, strong institutions, big investment in human capital as well as inclusive and ethical governance," she said. "We need to invest in the continent." The theme of the two-day forum is 'Achieving progress towards the fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 through transformative and coordinated actions in science, technology and digital innovation'. It comes ahead of the 12th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Addis Ababa. The meeting was attended by representatives of African UN member states, the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, regional economic communities, civil society, business and industry organisations, academic and research institutions, UN entities and other international stakeholders."
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