• The Foreign Secretary inaugurates a Latin American Innovation and Patents Exhibition Hall at the Foreign Ministry during the STS Forum (Science and Technology in Society Forum)

Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard today inaugurated the plenary session of the STS Forum - Latin America and the Caribbean High-Level Conference at the Mexican Foreign Ministry, highlighting the importance of technological development and innovation to Mexico for facing future challenges.

The inauguration was attended by STS Forum Chairman Hiroshi Komiyama; Carlos Slim Domit, Chairman of the Board of América Móvil/Telmex; Mio Kawada, Executive Vice President, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO); Edmundo de Alba Alcaraz, 2007 Nobel Peace Prize; and, as presenter, Javier Dávila, Amexcid Director General of Cooperation Policy.

In his remarks, Secretary Ebrard said, "If, in Latin America, we cannot develop an adequate scientific base and networks to develop vaccines or treatments, for example, against COVID or other future risks, we are going to be left behind, we are not going to have the technology that others develop…We need to do this for ourselves, whatever the cost, and right now. Let's not forget the lessons […], we can work together with the scientific community around the world.”

During the STS Forum, Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard also inaugurated the Latin American Innovation and Patents Exhibition Hall, where there is a focus on promoting work on scientific and technological patents in order to increase the number of patents in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Among the exhibitors are the Autonomous Metropolitan University; Salvador Zubirán National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition; UNAM Chemistry Institute; Center for Engineering and Industrial Development (Cidesi); Dereum; Cinvestav; the Swiss Embassy in Mexico; OCTOPY; RED OTT; Eturnity; Nutrix; Rea Diagnostics SA; Leading House for the Latin American Region; University of St. Gallen; Autonomous University of Nuevo León (UANL); ITESO; UAE Morelos; University of Berlin; the Chemical Society of Mexico, AC; and the Consortium of Innovative Health Scientists, among many others.

The goal of the STS Forum is to develop a global human network, based on shared values, and to promote a dialogue about the advancement of science and technology for the benefit of humanity.

The first STS forum was held at the Mexican Foreign Ministry in March 2020, thanks to arrangements made by the Mexican Foreign Ministry with the STS Forum and the Embassy of Japan in Mexico.

Switzerland, this year’s guest country at the forum, plays an important role internationally in the field of science and innovation. With its cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions, its universities, research centers and start-ups, Switzerland has led the World Economic Forum's (WEF) annual global competitiveness ranking for 12 years. By sharing experiences, Switzerland and Mexico can take innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean to the next level.

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