| Despite the fact that S&T are recognized as vital to development in the GCC countries, there has been little progress in developing S&T capabilities. The lack of progress in the development of S&T capabilities in GCC countries must be examined systemically, as part of the cultural, economic, political and social problems and aspirations of GCC countries' peoples and the role of S&T must be considered in the entire context of development. This study aims to provide an extensive and explicit understanding of S&T cooperation and development in the GCC countries through a discussion of various themes in the region's S&T. The last fifteen years have seen some activity in seeking discussions and agreeing measures of GCC cooperation in the field of science and technology. Such measures have manifested themselves in different modes. They are: participation in sub-regional committees, conferences and symposia on science and technology; establishment of sub-regional scientific and technological institutions; creation of sub-regional professional associations; implementation of joint projects and programmes; and, formation of sub-regional strategies, agreements and policies which represent the general framework of a joint collaboration in scientific and technological fields. From the analysis and discussion in this thesis the conclusion was reached that all the GCC countries need vigorous efforts to develop and strengthen their scientific and technological capabilities- human, institutions, and information resources- on which scientific and technological cooperation between the GCC and other regions, and among themselves must be firmly based. Action is needed at the national level to increase the awareness of each GCC country of its own capabilities, skills and experience; to develop and strengthen the scientific and technological capabilities; and to enhance the capacities of the countries to organise and implement projects with a GCC dimension. Cooperation among the countries of the GCC especially, and between them and other regions, can be meaningfully fostered only if these countries have developed competence in specific scientific and technological fields. Given the limited S&T systems of the GCC countries, as well their limited S&T capability, the importance of cooperation between them cannot be overemphasized. The study has emphasized that S&T should be an integral part of the economic cooperation among the GCC countries. |
