International Day of Science, Technology, and Innovation for the South

The STI Forum brings together a wide range of stakeholders from Member States, UN system, civil society, academia, private sector and various science and technology communities to  help harness science, technology and innovation (STI) for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) . It has become a venue for facilitating the establishment of networks, for  improving the science-policy interface , and for  promoting development, transfer, and dissemination of technologies for the SDGs. Session 4: Scaling up STI financing and capacity building, and strengthening research infrastructures for sustainable development In follow up to the Pact of the Future and in preparation for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), this session focuses on ways to scale up financing from all sources for scientific research and research infrastructures that support sustainable development. It will consider how to increase opportunities for research coop...

 The STI Forum brings together a wide range of stakeholders from Member States, UN system, civil society, academia, private sector and various science and technology communities to  help harness science, technology and innovation (STI) for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) . It has become a venue for facilitating the establishment of networks, for  improving the science-policy interface , and for  promoting development, transfer, and dissemination of technologies for the SDGs. Session 2: Advancing science, technology and innovation for gender equality . As called for in the Pact of the Future, this session will identify ways to close the gender digital divide and to advance leadership in STI for women and girls. It will focus on removing barriers to the full, equal and meaningful access to and participation and leadership in education, employment and research in STEM fields and will also consider how to ensure that advances in technology do not ampli...

The STI Forum brings together a wide range of stakeholders from Member States, UN system, civil society, academia, private sector and various science and technology communities to help harness science, technology and innovation (STI) for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) . It has become a venue for facilitating the establishment of networks, for improving the science-policy interface , and for promoting development, transfer, and dissemination of technologies for the SDGs. Session 1: Making artificial intelligence (AI) accessible, inclusive and beneficial for all. Part 1 explores actionable pathways for AI to reduce inequalities, promote innovation, and empower communities worldwide, in line with sustainable development and the well-being and rights of individuals. Discussions delve into the technical, ethical, and societal dimensions of democratizing AI applications and capabilities, highlighting approaches that ensure open and equitable access, affordability, transp...

The STI Forum brings together a wide range of stakeholders from Member States, UN system, civil society, academia, private sector and various science and technology communities to help harness science, technology and innovation (STI) for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It has become a venue for facilitating the establishment of networks, for improving the science-policy interface, and for promoting development, transfer, and dissemination of technologies for the SDGs. Welcome and Opening Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the STI Forum - learning from 10 years of leveraging STI for the SDGs The opening will reflect on STI progress made over the past 10 years, and how to turbocharge STI for SDG delivery and Pact implementation. In the context of a revitalization of STI commitments in the Pact of the Future, and after 10 years of lessons in strengthening the contributions of science to SDG progress, the next 5 years to 2030 will require bold and creative action to ...

This side event will explore how AI and virtual worlds are reshaping industries, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth in alignment with SDG 8 and the Pact for the Future . The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC), the Permanent Missions of Finland, the United Arab Emirates, and Tanzania to the United Nations, are co-hosting the STI Forum 2025 side event titled " Artificial Intelligence & Virtual Worlds: Innovating the Future of Work and Economic Growth to advance the SDGs ". This event will take place on 6 May 2025, from 15:00 to 16:15 (New York time) in New York. The side event will explore how AI and virtual worlds can drive inclusive growth, support SDGs 8 and 17, strengthen global cooperation and deliver on the Pact for the Future and Global Digital Compact. It will also spotlight the Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds and AI as a multi-stakeholder global platform that aims at fostering...

  The meeting will include an opening, two interactive sessions - one in the format of a fireside chat and the other as a panel discussion, and a closing. Fireside Chat: Emerging Trends of AI Innovations and the SDGs Panel Discussion: Building Foundations for AI in the Global South The Special Meeting of the Economic and Social Council on Artificial Intelligence (AI) will bring together Member States, UN system experts, private sector leaders, innovators, and civil society stakeholders to follow up on the outcomes of the Summit of the Future, including the Global Digital Compact. It will showcase the potential for AI to accelerate sustainable development in the Global South , paying special attention to the role of strategic investments, partnerships, and international cooperation in addressing foundational needs and capacity development. Related  Documents:  Concept note (pdf) Watch the ECOSOC Special Meeting on Artificial Intelligence (AI)

 The event aims to advance the implementation of UN resolutions on AI capacity-building, ensure equitable and inclusive access to AI technologies , and contribute to GDC and the SDGs. A Side Event of the Group of Friends for International Cooperation on AI Capacity-Building themed "From Divide to Synergy: Global Cooperation Frameworks for AI Capacity-Building ", to be held on 6 May 2025 from 11:45-13:00 in Conference Room 6 of the UN Headquarters in New York. Co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of China to the UN, the Permanent Mission of Zambia to the UN, and the China Association for Science and Technology, the event aims to advance the implementation of UNGA Resolution A/RES/78/311 titled " Enhancing International Cooperation on Capacity-Building of Artificial Intelligence" and Global Digital Compact , promote open, equitable and inclusive access to AI technologies, and strengthen cooperation within the Group of Friends and beyond. The event is open to mem...

   This side event launches the 2025 edition of the UN Global Pulse Accelerator, focusing on enhancing innovation scaling—a central aspect of the UN 2.0 transformation . There is an urgent need to accelerate the UN's transformation to become more effective and accountable, to urgently build the digital and data capabilities of the UN and to build shared value partnerships . Speakers from government, the UN and the private sector will share insights on the significant role of partnerships in mainstreaming and scaling innovation to drive the UN 2.0 agenda , especially through a structured programme such as the UN Global Pulse Accelerator to in turn, create impact on the Sustainable Development Goals at scale. Watch Scaling innovations for People and the Planet: Navigating uncertainties and building partnerships to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals leaving no one behind (STI Forum Side Event)! Side Events

The Action Day "Advancing the Global Digital Compact ", curated by ODET, will be a dynamic event focused on translating the Compact's commitments into concrete actions for science, technology, and innovation in support of the SDGs . The STI Forum 2025 is the first forum since the adoption of the Global Digital Compact (GDC). With a strong mandate, the STI Forum is an ideal occasion to discuss the GDC's implementation. The United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies' (ODET) active curation of the STI Action Day will closely link the implementation of the Global Digital Compact with the STI Forum. Related Documents:  Concept Note Watch the STI Forum Action Day: Advancing the Global Digital Compact (ODET)! Economic and Social Council