Science, technology and innovation have played a proven key role in countries’ growth and development strategies; in the context of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, their importance has become even clearer. The inadequate scientific-technological situation of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean and their inability to respond to production demands in the field of medicine have made it necessary to rethink the region’s innovation systems, their components and institutional framework, and the link between their key actors. However, it is not a question of strengthening technologicalproductive systems as they were previously conceived. Today, consideration must be given to both the importance of scientific and technological capabilities and to the development of more cross-cutting systems in which innovation and entrepreneurship form the basis of more resilient, inclusive and sustainable economies and societies. The panel will review some of the main strengths and weaknesses of innovation systems in Latin American and Caribbean countries and discuss the possibilities of creating spaces for convergence and joint action, to build regional productive and technological systems around strategic sectors. It is hoped that these activities will contribute to a transformative recovery and lay the foundations for a new pattern of development in the region.

The digital revolution is transforming the economy and society increasingly rapidly. Widely available and uninterrupted connectivity has reached much of humanity thanks to the mass take-up of smartphones and the consequent access to information, social networks and audiovisual entertainment. The acceleration of technical progress in the digital realm has made the use of devices and applications employing cloud computing, big data analysis, blockchains or artificial intelligence routine. The technological revolution, combined with a change in the strategies of the companies at the forefront of digital technology use, has also led to the rise of global platforms. Digital technologies have played a key role in addressing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the potential benefits from their use are clearly constrained by structural factors, such as limits on connectivity (access, use and speed), social inequalities, productive heterogeneity and low competitiveness, and restricted access to data and information management, among other factors. The panel will address the main opportunities and challenges for the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, in order to contribute to the discussion and to action for the roll-out and use of digital technology and its appropriation, and to creation of digital solutions at national and regional level, to strengthen and support development processes.

To mainstream gender in science, technology and innovation systems, particularly in the STEM areas, an intersectoral, inter-institutional and multidisciplinary approach is needed, to address the various barriers that hinder and prevent gender equality in these areas and in society. This panel will examine experiences of gender policies in science, technology and innovation, to identify the main strategies formulated by the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, their lessons learned and challenges, from an inter-institutional viewpoint and from the perspective of stakeholders who are part of the process in educational and research institutions. The panellists, including key authorities and stakeholders from the scientific and research community, will address specific gender policies in science and technology adopted in recent years in the countries of the region and analyse the main strategies, lessons learned and challenges as regards intersectoral action by ministries of science, technology and innovation sector and ministries of gender equality and women’s autonomy (machineries for the advancement of women).