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Canada Accedes to the International Science and Technology Center
International Science and Technology Center
March 3, 2004

The Moscow-based International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) announced that Canada has become a full member of the ISTC on 1 March 2004. Canada now joins the European Union, Japan, Russia, and the United States as Governing Board participant. With the inclusion of Canada, there are now 27 member countries in the ISTC.

Canada announced earlier in 2003 its intention to pledge annually up to CA$18 million to ISTC under Canada's Former Weapons Scientists Program, which is part of its contribution to Global Partnership. Canada is also active in the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine, whose contributions are administered by the Canadian International Development Agency.

The ISTC Governing Board Chair, Dr. Ronald Lehman II noted: "The Governing Board of the ISTC is very pleased to welcome Canada as its newest participant. The inclusion of the ISTC in the portfolio of Canada's Global Partnership activities will greatly assist all ISTC Parties in engaging scientists from the military complex in peaceful science. The new Canada resources and expertise are most welcome."

The ISTC is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the nonproliferation of weapons technologies of mass destruction. It coordinates the efforts of numerous governments, international organizations, and private sector industries to provide weapons scientists with opportunities to redirect their talents to peaceful science.

For more information:

Alexander Ivanchenko - Public Information Officer, ISTC
Tel: 7 (095) 797-6044
E-mail: ivanchenko@istc.ru
http://www.istc.ru

Bill Bhaneja - Senior Program Manager, DFAIT, Canada
Tel: 1 (613) 944-1732
E-mail: bill.bhaneja@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
http://www.globalpartnership.gc.ca