UN recognizes DOST’S SETUP 4.0 program
Published it in UN SDGS Acceleration Actions under The Partnership Platform
THE United Nations once again recognized a Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) program. This time, it is the flagship program “Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program 4.0 (SETUP 4.0),” which was published on a UN web site as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) platform.
This UN recognition to a DOST program came barely a month after the DOST’S Science for Change Program was accorded the UN Public Service Award in the category of “Enhancing the effectiveness of public institutions to reach the SDGS.”
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) published on its web site the SETUP 4.0 as part of the SDG Acceleration Actions under “The Partnership Platform” on July 12.
“The Philippines was recognized by the UN DESA during its interventions at the Seventh Annual Multistakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals [STI Forum], and the 2022 Ecosoc [Economic and Social Council] Finance for Development Forum,” the DOST International Cooperation Office said.
‘Stood out as interesting contender’
UN DESA said the DOST’S SETUP 4.0, along with two other national initiatives, “stood out as interesting contenders” for the SDG Acceleration Actions Platform, and was recommended to be registered in the platform.
The DOST gratefully concurred with the recognition and registered SETUP 4.0 in the SDG Acceleration Actions Platform, the DOST said.
Through the representation of thensecretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, the DOST delivered the Philippine statement at the STI Forum, which was held on a hybrid format in New York on May 5 and 6.
‘Inspiring’
“IT is inspiring” that the UN has recognized the contributions of DOST’S SETUP 4.0 to SDGS, the former DOST chief said in his reply to the Businessmirror’s online interview on July 21.
“It has indeed benefited thousands of MSMES [micro, small and medium enterprises] nationwide in terms of upgraded technology acquisition and adoption, which have enabled them to have expanded product lines, larger capacities, faster and better production capabilities, higher product quality, job creation ability and larger markets and incomes,” de la Peña pointed out.
Being part of the Partnership Platform, he explained that the DOST “shall then continuously provide updates” about the SETUP 4.0.
“Other UN members and stakeholders may easily recognize this,” he noted. “DOST could pave the way for new international partnerships.”
De la Peña acknowledged the people behind the success of SETUP. “Thanks to our frontline implementors in the regions, to our research and development institutes, and, most of all, to our very good MSME beneficiaries. And to our national government, which has been providing for the continuing program implementation,” he said.
“I am proud to have given the program’s name that is easy to remember way back in 2002,” he noted. He was then the DOST undersecretary.
Honor for the Philippines
FOR his part, DOST Undersecretary Sancho A. Mabborang said: “We are delighted and grateful that the UN has recognized SETUP to address concerns on SDGS.”
“Rest assured that our office will continuously provide STI interactions and engagements to uplift the lives of Filipinos in communities that are in great need. Our future is brighter with STI,” Mabborang, who oversees SETUP operations, told the Businessmirror in an online interview.
DOST Assistant Secretary for International Cooperation Leah Buendia said UN’S recognition of the SETUP 4.0 “was truly an honor, not just for the DOST, but for the Philippines.”
“For the past six years, the Department did not waver in its commitment to pursue national STI interests and promote the country’s innovative breakthroughs in the international community,” Buendia told the Businessmirror in a message when asked for her reaction.
She added that it “is a testament that our efforts to elevate the Philippines’ position in the global arena bring us more opportunities.”
With the SETUP now registered in the SDG Platform, “we hope that more STI international partnerships would flourish in this area. SETUP 4.0 is one of the many initiatives of the DOST that directly contribute to the achievement of the United Nations [SDGS], particularly 1, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 13,” Buendia pointed out.
The DOST’S SETUP 4.0 has been a recurrent component of country statements developed by the department.
DOST SETUP 4.0 until 2030
SETUP is now on its 20th year. The original SETUP (2002-2017) offered firm-level assistance to upgrade existing technologies and products of MSMES, the DOST web site said.
The SETUP 2.0 (2018-2020), on the other hand, provided S&T assistance to further boost the enterprise and productivity on a more focused industry approach that developed the industry-s&t roadmaps.
Paving the way for the acceleration of new and disruptive technologies despite the pandemic, SETUP evolved to address the bigger pressing needs of the times and shifted to high gear with the launch of SETUP 4.0.
Set to run until 2030, the DOST SETUP 4.0 program is at the forefront in the advancement of the technological needs of the MSMES in the country.
The program categorizes MSMES in terms of their level of development to deliver the appropriate S&T interventions. It likewise provides industry-level assistance.
The program supports the vision of an “Innovative, Resilient, Sustainable and Globally Competitive Gender-responsive MSME Sector’’ that will nurture a sustainable economy and society for Filipinos in support of Ambisyon Natin 2040.
It aims to transform the enterprises into smart MSMES through the Smarter Strategic Themes: Sustainable Economy, Market Competence, Able Human Capital, Responsive S&T Support Infrastructure, Technology and Innovation, Enterprise Support, and Resiliency and Continuity.
SDG Partnership Platform
THE SDG Partnership Platform is a global registry of voluntary commitments and multi-stakeholder partnerships in support of the implementation of the SDGS, and through various UN conferences and thematic action networks, including the UN Ocean Conference, the Small Island Developing States Conference, the UN Sustainable Transport Conference, the Rio+20 Conference, and others.
The SDG Acceleration Actions online database is a tool to help inspire and mobilize actions around the world.
It aims to promote the implementation of the SDGS, as well as build resilience and bring inclusive recovery in the context of new realities post Covid-19, so that the global economy, planet and people could emerge stronger together from the crisis.