The Executive Director of the Foundation, Prof Ngila attended the UN Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (STI4SDGs Forum 2024) from 8-10 May 2024. The forum was organized by the Division for Sustainable Development Goals of United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).
As a Member of the UN-10 Member Group supporting the UN Interagency Task Team on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (IATT) Prof Ngila and other Members facilitated the STI Form sessions on 9 and 10 May 2024.
The theme for the STI Forum 2024 was, ‘Science, technology and innovation for reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions”. This year, the focus was on selected five SDGs: SDG 1 (End poverty in all its forms everywhere), SDG 2 ( End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture), SDG 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts), SDG 16 (Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels), and SDG 17 (Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development).
The Thematic Areas included the following Sessions:
- Ministerial Session under the theme “Harnessing science and technology for the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient, and innovative solutions.
Chaired by Forum Co-Chairs namely:
*Her Excellency Inga Rhonda King, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations;
*Her Excellency Christina Markus Lassen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Denmark to the United Nations;
Session 1: More and more effective funding and capacity for SDG related research and innovation in all regions (SDG17);
Session 2: Strengthening scientific cooperation, technology and knowledge sharing and accelerating innovation for integrated climate action (SDG13);
Session 3: Bridging the science, technology and innovation divides to eradicate poverty and end hunger (SDGs 1 and 2);
Session 4: Building ecosystems for science, technology and innovation to drive economic growth and sustainable development in Small Island Developing States;
Session 5: Harnessing the power of digital innovation for sustainable peace and resilience in the context of climate change (SDG 16);
Session 6: Advancing sustainable development with women-centered science and technology solutions
Session 7: STI partnerships for accelerating structural transformation in African countries, Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries moderated by. Prof Catherine Ngila Executive Director AFoWYESTI
Going Forward the UN 10-Member will embark on the following activities:
- Establish the Global Trends in STI and SDGs -Collaboration between Research Funding Organizations and the UN Sustainable Development Goals Stakeholders, is crucial;
- Enhancing STI Governance – the principles to be adopted before the technologies and innovations are adopted;
- Case Studies on STI for SDGs that have been achieved Globally to be showcased, and in particular the African countries, Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries. What are the challenges and lessons to guide future strategies? ;
- Promoting women in STEM and STEM for women- How can we increase women’s participation in STEM, and how can we ensure that STEM prioritizes women;
- The need for alternative materials and models, and to promote circular economy for decarbonizing building materials and urban settlements;
- Decarbonizing Societies- and striving to attain Just Transition. Questions to ask, will the world leave fossil fuels underground- especially the Emerging Economies?