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 3: Shaping the future of science, technology and innovation for sustainable development in times of uncertainty and change. This forward-looking session will consider how science, technology, and innovation (STI) can help decisionmakers anticipate and respond to systemic risks to sustainable development in an era of rapid change. Discussions will address strengthening foresight, governance, trust, planning through STI roadmaps, and international cooperation to steer innovation, including A...

This side event demonstrates GloCha Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) solutions - an open, interoperable set of digital building blocks - that enable people- and grassroots-challenges-focused multi-stakeholder coordination, action documentation, and incentivization for healthy, inclusive, climate-resilient cities and communities with the goal for global community to know who is taking what kind of action for the common good, where, how, with what kind of resources and outcomes. Thematic blocks: - Member States' keynotes on DPI-enabled cooperation for the common good in the context of UN system reform, global impact entrepreneurship and global philanthropy innovation - Presentation of the Global Challenges Action ID / Impact Passport, Global Challenges Action Registry and the Challenges Mapping Tool - Presentation of pilot use cases: (1) youth focused community-level climate action documentation, certification and incentivization with the Rotary Climate Action Club and partners ...

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: Powering sustainable development through clean energy technologies for affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all . Panel 1 will explore policy solutions for affordable and clean energy technologies (SDG 7) to be deployed at scale - especially in Sub-Saharan Africa - to provide affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all and support inclusive growth, industrial development, climate action and sustainable urbanization. Panel 2 will examine new and promising ...

  This thematic session will consider how science, technology, and innovation (STI) can help decision-makers anticipate and respond to systemic risks to sustainable development in an era of rapid change . Discussions will address strengthening foresight, governance, trust, planning through STI roadmaps, and international cooperation to steer innovation, including Artificial Intelligence, toward resilience, equity, and sustainability to 2030 and beyond .

 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: Transforming water systems with science, technology and innovation. Panel 1 will examine the latest developments in science, technology and innovation (STI) with strong potential for accelerating progress in the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation (SDG 6), complementing themes of the 2026 UN Water Conference. Panel 2 will explore STI opportunities for water infrastructure and service delivery (SDG 9) and the role of cities as STI solution accelerators (SDG 1...

This launch event, organized in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Singapore to the UN and held on the margins of the STI Forum, will unveil the UNDP brief's key findings and convene SIDS leaders and key stakeholders to chart a path from digital presence to enduring digital utility. Over the past decade, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have expanded connectivity, deployed digital strategies, and experimented with payments and identity systems, establishing a foundational "digital presence." Yet access and presence do not equate to adoption. The true benefits of digital transformation remain locked behind fragmented data ecosystems, outdated regulatory frameworks, and critical gaps in implementation capacity, compounded by escalating cyber risks. The next phase of progress requires moving beyond connectivity toward holistically designed digital ecosystems that deliver trusted, practical "digital utility" for all citizens. UNDP's new strategic...

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 High Level Opening Keynote Ministerial session Strengthening the science-policy nexus to drive sustainable development Related Sites and Documents:  Website  &  Programme . Watch the (Part 1) 11th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals! Economic and Social Council

  This thematic session will explore how science, technology and innovation (STI) can accelerate progress on water and sanitation .  Panel 1 focuses on the latest STI developments supporting water availability and sustainable management (SDG 6), complementing the 2026 UN Water Conference. Panel 2 examines STI opportunities for water infrastructure and service delivery (SDGs 9 & 11). ISC representatives: James Waddell, Science Officer and ISC Liaison Officer to New York

- About the STI Forum -  The UN Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Forum is the United Nations’ annual platform on how science, technology and innovation can accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) . The Forum brings together Member States, UN entities, scientists, engineers, civil society, innovators and the private sector. Held annually ahead of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) , it provides science- and innovation-informed inputs into SDG follow-up and review. While not a negotiating space, it plays an important agenda-setting role in shaping global STI priorities and partnerships. Co-chaired by Austria and Zambia, the 11th STI Forum will take place on 6-7 May 2026 at United Nations Headquarters, under the theme: “ Transformative, equitable and coordinated science, technology and innovation for the 2030 Agenda and a sustainable future for all ” and aligns with the SDGs under review this year: SDG 6: Ensure availability and ...

  This session brings the human realities of sea level rise to the fore, centring Pacific voices and experiences. Drawing on the latest science, it examines how rising seas threaten freshwater access, food security, health and sanitation across Pacific communities. It will showcase innovative, Pacific-led tools and locally driven solutions for adaptation, monitoring and decision-making. Finally, it aims to identify concrete opportunities for international cooperation, investment and policy alignment to support resilient futures for the Pacific .

  Side-event of the Scientific and Technological Community Major Group (STC MG) , co-coordinated by the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) and the International Science Council (ISC) ISC representatives: Vanessa McBride, Science Director, International Science Council (ISC)

  The discussion will highlight how transformation pathways based on scientific insights, co-designed with stakeholders and supported by blended finance, can translate public goals into investable projects, long-term sustainability needs into fund-compatible assets, and existing risks into risks that are effectively priced and allocated .

This side event, organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) will discuss implications for access to justice, efficiency and accountability, while identifying common human rights and rule-of-law challenges, including bias and discrimination, transparency, automation bias, infringements on the right to privacy and potential impacts on judicial independence. The discussion will also highlight initial approaches to addressing these challenges in practice and briefly reflect on emerging judicial responses to AI-related disputes, with a view to identifying opportunities for cross-regional learning and dialogue on responsible and inclusive AI use in justice systems , consistent with international human rights standards. The side event will also be an opportunity to convene a multistakeholder discussion on AI and justice to inform the inaugural Global Dialogue on AI Governance to be held in July 2026. The discussion will also aim to find practic...

   The roundtable, organized by Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), the Permanent Missions of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and UNCTAD, will focus on how digital innovation can accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while highlighting the importance of building inclusive digital ecosystems that enable meaningful participation from both developed and developing economies. Event Objectives: Showcase practical digital solutions and innovation models addressing SDGs Advance collaborative approaches to scaling innovation for sustainable development, while fostering new partnerships across governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society. Strengthen the participation of innovation ecosystems in multilateral dialogue and provide a platform to elevate the perspectives of startups, entrepreneurs, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders from DCO Member States within global digital policy dialogue. Related Sites and Documents:  Website  ...

The Joint Special Meeting will be held in conjunction with the 11th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals.This meeting will be convened in line with General Assembly resolution 80/147 and have a focus on advancing digital inclusion and youth entrepreneurship for sustainable development, reflecting a priority of the President of the Economic and Social Council. Thematic Focus: Challenges and Opportunities in Developing Countries in Relation to Science, Technology, and Innovation Youth Innovation in Action: Creating Enabling Environments for Youth-Led Entrepreneurship, Advancing STI Skills, and Leveraging Strategic Finance The meeting aims to: Examine the challenges that developing countries face in leveraging science, technology and innovation as drivers of sustainable development, with particular attention to barriers affecting youth agency and STI-driven entrepreneurship. Identify key policy, institutional, and financial ...

  Side-event organized by International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS) , United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) , Permanent Mission of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations and the International Society for Digital Earth

  Side-event organized by the Group of Friends on Science for Action , where ISC serves as co-Secretariat of the Group with UNESCO . This event will explore both the potential and the limits of science diplomacy and international scientific collaboration in enabling dialogue, strengthening cooperation, and supporting more inclusive participation in global scientific processes.

This meeting of the Group of Friends for International Cooperation on AI Capacity-building highlights practical experiences in leveraging AI for capacity-building, with a focus on bridging the AI divide and promoting inclusive and sustainable development, particularly for developing countries. The meeting will present case studies and practical applications of AI in capacity-building, featuring keynote remarks by leading scientists and interactive discussions. It aims to support the implementation of the Global Digital Compact and UNGA resolution A/RES/78/311. AI Empowering Engineering Capacity-Building: Group of Friends for International Cooperation on AI Capacity-Building Meetings & Events