UNCTAD: Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Review

Science and Technology Policy Reviews (STIPs) are carried out by UNCTAD and several other organizations (e.g. the IDRC, the OECD, the World Bank, and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences).

The main purpose of the UNCTAD STIPs is to enable participating countries to undertake country reviews and analysis of national science, technology and innovation policies with a view to identifying policies and practices favouring technological capacity-building and strengthening technological capabilities, innovation and competitiveness and integrating them in the overall development policy. The STIP Reviews involve a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis aimed at:

1. Providing policy support to Governments in the designs of their science, technology and innovation (STI) systems;

2. Improving linkages in the industrial sector between SMEs, large firms, science and technology institutions, and business associations;

3. Enhancing national dialogue in the area of science, technology and innovation, and contributing to industrial upgrading;

4. Identifying measures to encourage transfer of technology;

5. Identifying and evaluating new and emerging S&T sectors.

Three reviews have been carried out so far, for Colombia, Jamaica, and Iran.

Click here to download a 67 page Word document: "Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Review: The Islamic Republic of Iran".