The Senator made a number of proposals on drafting the International Charter on the Ethics of Science and Technology.
Lilia Gumerova, Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture, took part in a meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Working Group on Science and Technology (WGST). The group met as part of the 148th IPU Assembly in Geneva.
According to the Senator, the WGTS members considered a draft for the International Charter on the Ethics of Science and Technology.
Lilia Gumerova addressed the meeting, pointing out that ethical issues in science and technology are an important aspect of UNESCO’s activities. She proposed adding a clause to the Charter highlighting the importance of interaction with UNESCO as a specialised UN body, which is engaged, among other things, in analysing social and ethical challenges that have arisen as a result of the development of science and technology.
“In addition, when finalising the document, it is important to take into account the provisions of the Declaration on the Ethical Principles of Scientific Research adopted in 2012 at the plenary session of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly,” the parliamentarian stressed.
In her opinion, there is excessive focus on human rights in the context of climate change. “The issue of environmental sustainability should be considered within the framework of the UN-approved sustainable development concept,” the Senator explained.
Commenting on the Questionnaire on parliament’s interaction with the scientific community presented for consideration, Lilia Gumerova cited the work of the Federation Council, specifically, the relevant Federation Council Committee, with the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lomonosov Moscow State University, and other leading Russian universities on key issues of development of science and education, including the legislative component. She also highlighted the activities of the Intellectual Property Council under the Federation Council Speaker and the Expert Council of the Federation Council Committee.
“Members of the Federation Council, in cooperation with the scientific community, are doing a lot of work to improve the regulatory framework for international cooperation as part of integration associations in which Russia participates,” the parliamentarian stressed.