Assembly/AU/Dec.161 (VIII) DECISION ON THE REPORT OF THE EXTRAORDINARY CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – DOC. EX.CL/315 (X) The Assembly: 1. TAKES NOTE of the recommendations of the Executive Council on the report of the Extraordinary Conference of Ministers of Science and Technology; 2. WELCOMES AND SUPPORTS the Declaration of 2007 as the launching year of building constituencies and champions for science, technology and innovation in Africa; 3. STRONGLY URGES Member States to promote Africa’s Research and Development (R&D) and develop innovation strategies for wealth creation and economic development by allocating at least 1% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of national economies by 2010 as agreed by Khartoum Decision (EX.CL/Dec.254 (VIII); 4. ALSO SUPPORTS the establishment of a Pan-African Intellectual Property Organization (PAIPO); 5. ENDORSES the need for South-South and North-South cooperation in science, technology and innovation and to enhance its role in international partnerships.