Havana, Dec. - Armando Rodríguez Batista, Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment (CITMA), provided details on the Roundtable program about the thorough process of drafting the General Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation, whose text will be presented to the National Assembly of People's Power.
The minister acknowledged on Tuesday the efforts of researchers, universities, innovation centers, entrepreneurs, and members of civil society who participated in the collective construction of the legislation, which has now reached its parliamentary stage after receiving input from deputies during debate sessions in the capital and throughout the rest of the country.
Rodríguez Batista specified that the draft incorporated 25 modifications derived from those exchanges, including the explicit inclusion of artificial intelligence and the creation of an ethics commission for research in this area, which strengthens the legal framework.
The minister emphasized that the law does not belong to any specific sector but to the entire Cuban system of science, technology, and innovation, highlighting its inclusive nature by recognizing both scientific innovation and innovation associated with the practical knowledge of workers.
Among the reinforced elements is the link between the national development strategy and sectoral and territorial strategies, which grants greater coherence to public policies.
Rodríguez Batista described the legislation as an instrument to encourage and open opportunities rather than to prohibit, and noted that it is aimed at academics, scientists, universities, research centers, state and private entrepreneurs, cooperatives, and farmers.
In his intervention, he mentioned the National Association of Small Farmers (ANAP) as one of the key actors within the innovation system and recalled that the law seeks for research to translate into production and tangible results for the country.
The minister also referred to the parallel process of CITMA’s accountability before the National Assembly, which included visits to institutions, universities, and protected areas across all provinces, with participation from deputies and labor groups.
Deputy Minister Idalia López Pedroso highlighted that this process helped to bring the public closer to scientific work and gather suggestions to improve the system’s work, strengthening transparency and commitment to development.
Rodríguez Batista also underscored the role of business innovation, exemplified by the fair held in January 2025, where 600 innovations were presented, 2,200 people participated, and more than 80 letters of intent were signed.
The minister announced that Cuban Science Day, on the upcoming January 15, will be marked by the presentation of nine patents, nearly seven thousand publications, and 263 new products, services, or technologies, with Holguín as the national host for its leadership in creating a scientific-technological park.
Taken from the Cuban News Agency (ACN)
