The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes that Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) are key drivers enabling and accelerating the global transformation towards prosperous, inclusive and environmentally sustainable economies in developing and developed countries. Well-developed and dynamic STI parks play an important role in increasing knowledge and technology flows, supporting technology diffusion and promoting innovation. STI are also critical for countries to recover fully from the Covid-19 pandemic and build a better future.

As outlined in UNCTAD's Technology and Innovation Report 2018, many parks have experienced disappointing outcomes in realizing developmental objectives.  Many developing countries are seeking advice on developing their own STI parks, incubators and accelerators, as evidenced in the STIP reviews undertaken with assistance from UNCTAD. The UNCTAD project Science, Technology and Innovation Parks for sustainable development: building expertise in policy and practice in selected Asian and African countries, funded by the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Sub-Fund under the UN Peace and Development Fund aims at building expertise and enhancing capacity to formulate coherent and integrated policies and institutional frameworks in beneficiary countries, including Mongolia by providing them opportunities for South-South collaboration to learn from other developing countries that have used STI parks, incubators and accelerators successfully.

This workshop aims to strengthen Mongolia’s capacity to design, operate and manage STI parks in a manner that contributes to the implementation of the country’s STI policies and

enhancement of the country’s STI capacity, ultimately promoting the country’s sustainable development. 

A diverse mix of workshop participants will help ensure a comprehensive and inclusive approach to STI park strategies in Mongolia, with a particular emphasis on empowering women and youth entrepreneurs. This approach reflects the project's commitment to ensuring that STI park strategies contribute to inclusive economic development and leverage the full potential of relevant stakeholders in Mongolia.

Participants will include representatives from:

• Ministries of Economy and Development, Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications and other ministries involved in STI park policy design;
• STI park/incubator/accelerator developers and managers;
• Startups and firms in STI parks, incubators and accelerators;
• Industrial associations;
• Women entrepreneurs’ associations;
• Youth entrepreneurs’ associations; and

STI-focused research institutes and academics.