AU Summit: picking winners
The public part of the summit is now over.
Heads of state are meeting in closed session before they issue a set of summit resolutions. This session could last late into the night. Several leaders are known to be cross at having been lectured-to for a day-and-a-half (by scientists) when they could have spent the time actually taking policy decisions. So much for the idea of making policy decisions based on good scientific advice, then?
The betting so far remains that a new, continent-wide strategy for biotechnology will be the most concrete outcome from this summit in science and technology. Expect also a strong resolution on climate change. The big question is whether anyone will pledge funds for the planned Africa-wide science fund. This idea needs to be backed with money from inside Africa if it is to fly.