The long term benefits of this program are (Score 1)

what really matters - access to technology gives developing countries a chance to strengthen their economies and improve quality of life. This program won't solve the world's problems, but it is certainly a step in the right direction.

Taken from http://www.un.org/Docs/SG/ecodev.htm

"The ability of countries to participate in, benefit from and contribute to the rapid advances in science and technology can significantly influence their development. Hence, international cooperation efforts should be intensified and strengthened towards the developing countries' endogenous capacity-building in science and technology, including their capacity to utilize scientific and technological developments from abroad and to adapt them to suit local conditions. There is a need to promote, facilitate and finance, as appropriate, access to and transfer of environmentally sound technologies and the corresponding know-how, in particular to the developing countries on favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed, taking into account the need to protect intellectual property rights as well as the special needs of developing countries.

Promotion of science and technology for development calls for a clear definition of the respective roles in this area of the private sector, Governments and international organizations. The private sector plays a role in the productive application of science and technology and most commercially relevant technology is controlled by the private sector. Governments play a role in ensuring that there is a propitious environment for the development, access to, transfer, adaptation and application of environmentally sound technologies, and in providing appropriate regulatory frameworks and incentives for the development of scientific and technological capabilities. Promotion of science and technology for development also requires a labour force that has the professional and technical training necessary to utilize newly introduced technologies.

Developing countries should further advance their collective efforts in promoting technology research, training, development and dissemination, as well as facilitating the access and exchange through information and technology centres. This development calls for the continued and enhanced support from the international community through technical assistance and financing. The international community should also continue to promote the development of effective and mutually beneficial technological cooperation between countries with economies in transition and all other countries, including in the area of new and emerging technologies".