United Effort: Review of 8th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals

Written by Fiona Brown & Clara Brown

Clara and Fiona outside the UNGA Conference.

At the halfway point to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is more important than ever that youth contribute in high-level discussions to ensure our voices are heard. This was one of the many topics discussed at the 8th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals at United Nations Headquarters in New York. 

"Science, technology, and innovation for accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels" was the theme of the STI Forum, with an emphasis on how to build back better to ensure the implementation of the SDGs. Interventions highlighted the positive impact of technology in designing more effective, sustainable nature-based solutions for conservation and adaptation, allowing long-term success of projects for maximum environmental benefit. 

We were honoured to deliver interventions, contributing to Session 4: “Breaking down barriers - Closing the gender gap in science and technology”, emphasizing the importance of digital equity in access to technology to achieve the SDGs, and to Session 7: “Messages for the SDG Summit and the Futures Summit – Taking stock of STI for SDGs”, highlighting the importance of including youth in the design and implementation of science-based, solution-oriented, multi-stakeholder collaborative approaches to address the intensifying effects of climate change and other global challenges outlined in the SDGs. The academics, delegates and advocates who were in attendance presented a united effort to protect our global environment and work for a better, healthier and more equitable world. 

The STI Forum also acted to set priorities for the High Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July 2023, including a call for greater and more meaningful youth engagement in science, technology and innovation-based solutions to achieve the SDGs, as well as reduction in gender inequities that are amplified for marginalized groups. 

As we get ever closer to the Paris Agreement temperature rise limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius, it is crucial that the role of science, technology and innovation in work against the interconnected issues of climate change and biodiversity loss is a key point of focus in the discussions at the upcoming Conference of Parties (COP) 28, the Summit of the Future in 2024, and for accelerated advancement towards the Agenda 2030 Goals.