The Department of Science and Technology’s flagship program, “Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program 4.0 (SETUP 4.0)” has been recognized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).
According to DOST, UN DESA published SETUP 4.0 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Acceleration Actions under “The Partnership Platform”. The Partnership Platform is a global registry of voluntary commitments and multi-stakeholder partnerships made by stakeholders 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 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.
Meanwhile,set to run until 2030, the SETUP 4.0 will be at the forefront in the advancement of the technological needs of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The program intends to categorize MSMEs in terms of their level of development to deliver the appropriate S&T interventions.
The Philippines was recognized by the UN DESA during its interventions at the Seventh Annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology, and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (STI Forum) and the 2022 ECOSOC Finance for Development Forum.
According to the recent communications received by the Philippines from UN DESA, the DOST’s “SETUP 4.0”, along with two other identified national initiatives, “stood out as interesting contenders for SDG Acceleration Actions Platform” and is 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.
Through the representation of then Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, the DOST delivered the Philippine Statement at the STI Forum which was held in a hybrid format in New York on May 5 to 6. The DOST’s SETUP 4.0 has been a recurrent component of country statements developed by the Department.
DOST stated that this special recognition given to the SETUP 4.0 signifies that the agency’s unrelenting efforts and active participation in UN conferences provide a great opportunity for the Philippines to showcase its innovative programs and policies in the global arena. The DOST remains steadfast in elevating the country’s standing in the STI international community.