depending on nationalcircumstances. B.Technology269.We emphasize the importance of technology transfer to developingcountries and recall the provisions on technology transfer, finance,access to information, and intellectual property rights as agreed inthe Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, in particular its call topromote, facilitate and finance, as appropriate, access to and thedevelopment, transfer and diffusion of environmentally soundtechnologies and corresponding know-how, in particular to developingcountries, on favourable terms, including on concessional andpreferential terms, as mutually agreed. We also take note of thefurther evolution of discussions and agreements on these issues sincethe JPOI.270.We stress the importance of access by all countries toenvironmentally sound technologies, new knowledge, know-how andexpertise. We further stress the importance of cooperative action ontechnology innovation, research and development. We agree to exploremodalities in the relevant fora for enhanced access toenvironmentally sound technologies by developing countries.271.We underline the need for enabling environments for the development,adaptation, dissemination, and transfer of environmentally soundtechnologies. In this context, we note the role of foreign directinvestment, international trade and international cooperation in thetransfer of environmentally sound technologies. We engage in ourcountries as well as through international cooperation to promoteinvestment in science, innovation, and technology for sustainabledevelopment.272.We recognize the importance of strengthened national, scientific andtechnological capacities for sustainable development. This can helpcountries, especially developing countries, to develop their owninnovative solutions, scientific research and new, environmentallysound technologies, with the support of the international community.To this end, we support building science and technology capacity,with both women and men as contributors and beneficiaries, includingthrough collaboration among research institutions, universities, theprivate sector, governments, non-governmental organizations, andscientists.273.We request relevant UN agencies to identify options for afacilitation mechanism that promotes the development, transfer anddissemination of clean and environmentally sound technologies by,interalia,assessing technology needs of developing countries, options toaddress them and capacity building. We request the UN SecretaryGeneral, on the basis of the options identified and taking intoaccount existing models, to make recommendations regarding thefacilitation mechanism to the 67th Session of the UN GeneralAssembly.274.We recognize the importance of space-technology-based data, in situmonitoring, and reliable geospatial information for sustainabledevelopment policy-making, programming and project operations. Inthis context, we note the relevance of global mapping and recognizethe efforts in developing global environmental observing systems,including by the Eye on Earth network and through the Global EarthObservation System of Systems. We recognize the need to supportdeveloping countries in their efforts to collect environmental data.275.We recognize the importance of strengthening international, regionaland national capacities in research and technology assessment,especially in view of the rapid development and possible deploymentof new technologies that may also have unintended negative impacts,in particular on biodiversity and health, or other unforeseenconsequences.276.We recognize the need to facilitate informed policy decision-makingon sustainable development issues and in this regard to strengthenthe science-policy interface.C.Capacity building277.We emphasize the need for enhanced capacity building for sustainabledevelopment and, in this regard, we call for strengthening technicaland scientific cooperation including North-South, South-South andtriangular cooperation. We reiterate the importance of human resourcedevelopment, including training, exchange of experiences andexpertise, knowledge transfer and technical assistance forcapacity-building, which involves strengthening institutionalcapacity, including planning, management and monitoring capacities.278.We call for the continued and focused implementation of the UNEP BaliStrategic Plan for Technology Support and