At the close of the XIX Summit held in Portugal (29 November to 1 December, 2009), the 22 heads of state and government of Ibero-America signed the Lisbon Declaration, which underlies their determination to promote innovation and knowledge in the region. The Declaration recognizes the importance of both as essential tools to eradicate poverty, fight hunger, improve populations’ health and achieve sustainable, integrated, inclusive, equitable and environmentally friendly development. One of the commitments contained in the Declaration is the creation of the biennial Ibero-American Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation. Another one is the implementation of an ambitious program in technology innovation and applied technology to strengthen the quality of the labor supply in the region and thus allow for technology transfer.

Entry submitted by Maira Devisscher