The establishment of the Consultative Committee was approved during the Commission's 21st Ministerial Session on May 11, 2001 by Resolution 225 (XXI). The Committee shall be composed of experts from public institutions, private sectors, civil society and research centres, and shall have the following duties:
To advise on the endeavors exerted by member countries with a view to acquiring modern technology and support such endeavors with regional and international expertise, with particular reference to information and communications technology, biotechnology and new materials technology;
To propose ways of integrating and coordinating efforts aimed at transferring, adapting and mastering this technology, and promoting regional cooperation in these fields;
To advise on priorities related to the programmes of work and medium-term plans adopted by UN-ESCWA in the fields of developing scientific and technological capabilities and technological innovation;
To follow up on the resolutions and recommendations of international and regional conferences relating to the development of scientific and technological capabilities and technological innovation, which are attended by member countries; and to coordinate efforts related to the implementation of such resolutions and recommendations