Charter of the Network of International Science and Technology Centers of Excellence for Sustainable Development in the South

Preamble
The Working Committee set up at the First Meeting of the Commission on Science & Technology for Sustainable Development in the South, hereinafter referred to as "COMSATS", held in Islamabad, Pakistan, on 04-05 October, 1994:
	Convinced that sustainable economic development in the South cannot be achieved without building and sustaining indigenous capacities in Science and Technology;
	Nothing the widening gap between the North and South in the generation of scientific and technological knowledge and its application to socio-economic development;
	Calling for collective effort amongst the countries of the South to achieve self-reliance in frontier science and new technology;
	Conscious that South-South and North-South cooperation is essential in building science and technology capacity in the South;
	Recalling the resolution of the Heads of Governments of Non-Aligned Countries at their 1989 Meeting in Belgrade, which called for joint action by the Government of the South, the UN System, the World bank and donor agencies to establish in the South a Network of International Centres for research and training in areas of frontier science and technology and environmental sciences of critical importance to sustainable socio-economic development;
	Nothing the Agreement reached at the First Meeting of COMSATS, to establish a Network of International Science and Technology Centres of Excellence for Sustainable Development in the South (hereinafter referred to as the "Network");
has agreed on the following:
Chapter 1: Membership Article 1
	In addition to the first 10 Nodes already approved by COMSATS, the Membership of the Network of Centres shall initially be open to any one institution proposed by any country in the South that expresses interest to upgrade it to international standards, and which meets the requisite qualifications.
	To support the establishment of a Network of International Science and Technology Centres for Sustainable Development in the South;
	A component institution, for which any COMSATS Member has expressed support to upgrade it to international standards, shall be an Associate Member.
Chapter 2: Objectives Article 2
The network shall have the following objectives
	To assist the countries of the South to build and sustain a critical mass of world-class scientists and technologists in areas of frontier science and technology and environmental sciences which are of critical importance to sustainable socio-economic development;
	To attract talent, reduce brain-drain, and induce competent Third-World scientists and technologists working abroad to return to their countries;
	To facilitate the transfer of technology and the supply to industry of highly qualified technical personnel;
	To assist in finding scientific solutions to complex developmental and environmental problems in the South;
	To provide avenues for international cooperation in areas of science and technology of global concern, including those for environmentally sustainable development;
	To provide a suitable framework for science and technology assessment and management in the South;
	To develop strong links between Members of the Network and production-sectors in the South;
	To promote joint technological ventures amongst the Members of the Network;
	To assist in carrying out other programmes, as assigned by COMSATS
Chapter 3: Functions Article 3
In order to fulfil the above-mentioned objectives, the Members of the Network shall carry out the following functions:
	To conduct high-level training activities, nationally, regionally and internationally, in the scientific fields of each Node of the Network, in order to achieve a critical mass of highly-qualified personnel in these fields in the South;
	To conduct basic and applied research, in order to develop and test solutions to socio-economic development and environmental challenges facing the South;
	To conduct interdisciplinary research and modelling, in order to devise scientific solutions to problems that have global implications for environmentally sustainable development;
	To provide scientific and technical services to the Production and Services sectors in the South.
Chapter 4: Organs Article 4
The network of centers shall consist of the following organs:
	- A Coordinating Council; - A Technical Advisory Committee; - A Consultative Committee; and - A Secretariat.
Chapter 5: The Coordinating Council Article 5
	The Coordinating Council shall be composed of the Heads of the Member Centres or their representatives. Associate Members shall have the right to attend meetings of the Council as Observers. The Third-World Network of Scientific Organizations (TWNSO) shall be an ex-officio Member of the Coordinating Council.
Article 6
	The Coordinating Council shall elect from amongst its Members a Chairperson who shall hold office for three years and who my be re-elected for one further term of three years.
Article 7
	The Coordinating Council shall take decisions on matters affecting the Membership of the Network, in consultation with the Consultative Committee.
Article 8
	The Coordinating Council shall be the body that approves the programmes and budget of the Network.
Article 9
	The Coordinating Council shall make rules and regulations governing its own procedures.
Article 10
	The Coordinating Council shall meet at least once a year.
Article 11
	The Coordinating Council shall generally take its decisions by consensus. The quorum for a meeting shall be half the number of Members of the Network. In case of difficulty in  reaching a consensus, the Coordinating Council shall take decisions by a simple majority vote of its Members. In the event of equally divided votes, the Chairperson of the Coordinating Council shall have the casting vote. The Associate Members shall not have the right to vote.
Chapter 6: The Technical Advisory Committee Article 12
There shall be a Technical Advisory Committee of internationally renowned experts, consisting of not more than 10 Members. The nominations for this Committee shall be made by the Third-World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), in consultation with UNIDO and UNESCO, and approved by the Coordinating Council. The Technical Advisory Committee shall have the following functions:
	The review the quality and relevance of the programmes of Member Centres, and to advise on research and training priorities;
	To provide independent assessment of the scientific programmes and achievements of each Member Centre;
	To assess the scientific merit of institutions proposed for membership of the Network, and to recommended suitable ones to the Consultative Committee;
	In fulfilling these functions the Technical Advisory Committee shall constitute Specialized Committees of scientists and technologists of international repute in the relevant disciplines.
Chapter 7: The Consultative Committee Article 13
The Members of the Consultative Committee shall be the national scientific "focal points" of Member countries of the Commission. The Committee shall coordinate matters in respect, inter alia, of the following:
	The formulate the general policy of the Network;
	To promote the upgrading of Member countries' institutions, in order ultimately to achieve full Member status of the Network;
	To sensitize the Network towards specific requirements of the Member countries;
	To facilitate the provision of services of the Network Centres, in order to meet the requirements of the Member countries;
	To promote fund-raising for the Centres at national, regional and international levels.
Chapter 8: The Secretariat Article 14
	The Secretariat of the Network shall consist of a small team of experienced and committed persons, headed by an Executive Director. The Secretariat shall be located at Islamabad, Pakistan, and shall be common to both COMSATS and the Network.
Article 15
	The Secretariat shall assist the Organs of the Network in carrying out their duties.
Article 16
	The Secretariat, through its Executive Director, shall work closely with COMSATS, TWNSO, the Government of the host country through its Ministry of Science and Technology, and other relevant organizations in planning and establishing Nodes of the Network, and in the discharge of other functions as determined by the Coordinating Council.
Article 17
	The Secretariat shall assist in carrying out the activities of the Member Centres in establishing collaborative programmes between them, and with other similar institutions. It shall also establish and manage a Technical Assistance Fund to support joint-ventures.
Article 18
	The Executive Director shall be appointed by the Head of Government of the country hosting the Secretariat. The appointment shall be made from a panel of candidates recommended by a nominating committee. The Executive Director shall hold office for a period of three years, and may be reappointed for one further term of three years. He/she shall be the Secretary of the Coordinating Council and of the Consultative Committee.
Chapter 9: Finance Article 19
	Each Member of the Network shall be free to raise funds to fulfil its own requirements
Article 20
	The Coordinating Council and the Consultative Committee, with the assistance of the Secretariat, shall be empowered to negotiate with donor agencies and international organizations for financial and technical assistance to the Network.
Article 21
	The country hosting the Secretariat shall be required to cover the major part of the running costs of the Secretariat. Member countries of the Network and/or COMSATS may be invited to make contributions to finance the activities of the Headquarters.
Chapter 10: Official Working Language Article 22
	English shall be the official working language.
Chapter 11: Amendments to the Charter Article 23
	Proposals to amend any part of the Charter may be submitted in writing to the Executive Director by any Member of the Network
Article 24
	The proposed amendments shall be considered at a regular or a special meeting of the Coordinating Council, and shall only be approved by a vote of two-thirds majority of Members voting.
Chapter 12: Acceptance and Entry into Force Article 25
	The Charter shall enter into force after approval by half of the members of COMSATS.