By Chinedu Chukwuemelie
Anambra State has joined global innovation leaders at the 43rd World Conference of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP), held in France from Oct. 27 to 30.
The state’s participation was led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation and Chief Executive Officer of the Solution Innovation District (SID), Ms Chinwe Okoli.
The conference, which held in Cannes and Sophia Antipolis, attracted 775 delegates from 64 countries, including policymakers, technology experts, business leaders and managers of innovation ecosystems.
With the theme, “Tech for Humanity: Shaping Values for a Human Centric Future,” the conference focused on how technology and innovation could address societal challenges and promote sustainable economic development.
Okoli, a member of the conference’s Global Steering Committee, participated in discussions on innovation led growth, technology development and international collaboration.
Speaking on the first day of the conference, she said the gathering provided an opportunity to exchange ideas, build strategic partnerships and connect Anambra’s innovation ecosystem with global expertise, investment, technology and markets.
She said SID was committed to translating technology, talent and entrepreneurship into viable startups, investment opportunities, quality jobs and sustainable economic growth.
The conference featured plenary and breakout sessions on artificial intelligence, responsible technology, inclusive innovation, climate action and technology diplomacy.
Delegates also had opportunities to visit innovation facilities and learn from established science and technology parks, including the Sophia Antipolis Technology Park, which hosted some of the conference activities.
Okoli expressed appreciation to Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his commitment to building a technology driven and innovation led state.
She said the governor’s “Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere” agenda continued to position Anambra for international engagement and collaboration.
“From Anambra to the world, we are building an innovation ecosystem designed to compete globally and deliver impact locally,” she said.
The IASP is an international network connecting science parks, technology hubs, innovation districts and business incubation centres to promote knowledge exchange, collaboration and economic development through innovation.
The next conference, the 44th edition, will hold in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, from November 14 to 17 2027.
Chinedu Chukwuemelie is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
#IASP2026
#GlobalInnovation
#TechnologyAndEntrepreneurship
