The United Nations recognizes the critical role of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. To accelerate progress, the UN aims to strengthen the science-policy interface through:

• Technology Facilitation Mechanism: Enhance collaboration among governments, civil society, private sector, and scientific community.
• Global Sustainable Development Report: Provide evidence-based recommendations for sustainable development.
• Science-Policy-Society Interface: Foster dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite STI advancements, challenges persist:

• Weak Alignment: Insufficient integration of STI with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Digital Divide: Disparities in access to technology, infrastructure, and digital literacy.
• Inequalities: STI can exacerbate social and economic inequalities if not managed inclusively.

Addressing Challenges

To overcome these challenges, governments and stakeholders must:

• Accelerate Digital Inclusion: Bridge the digital divide through infrastructure development, affordability, and digital literacy programs.
• Harness STI for Equality: Leverage STI to enhance access to basic services, reduce inequalities, and promote sustainable development.
• Directionality to Innovation: Align innovation activities with SDGs and societal needs.

COVID-19 Pandemic Response

The pandemic has sparked innovations and collaboration:

• STI for Pandemic Response: Leverage STI to combat COVID-19 and address emerging challenges.
• International Cooperation: Enhance global cooperation on STI to address sustainability challenges.

Key Questions

The UN seeks to address the following questions:

• What are the most promising technology solutions for achieving SDGs?
• How can governments address the digital divide?
• How can STI improve lives and reduce inequalities?

UN Resources

For more information, explore the UN’s Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform: https://sdgs.un.org/. This platform provides resources, reports, and updates on STI for sustainable development.

Stakeholder Engagement

The UN encourages stakeholder engagement, including:

• Governments
• Civil Society Organizations
• Private Sector
• Scientific Community

Collaboration among stakeholders is crucial for harnessing STI to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.