FAO at the Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (STI Forum)

The seventh annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (STI Forum) will be held from 5 to 6 May 2022. The Forum will be convened by the President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Collen Vixen Kelapile, together with the two co-chairs for the Forum: the Permanent Representatives of Tanzania and of Ukraine to the United Nations. 

As per its mandate, the Forum will be organized by the UN interagency task team on STI for the SDGs (IATT), convened by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the 10-Member Group of high-level representatives appointed by the Secretary General.

The theme of the STI Forum will be closely aligned with that of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). Accordingly, the theme for this year's STI Forum will be 'Science, technology and innovation for building back better from COVID-19 while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development'.

Visit the dedicated STI Forum website. 

Access the full list of side events.

Join us at the STI Forum!

Wednesday, 4 May | 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM (EDT)
'Youth-led solutions for a better food future'

Organized by the World Food Forum (WFF).

The FAO Chief Scientist, Ismahane Elouafi, will deliver a special address.

The FAO Chief Economist, Máximo Torero, will participate as a panelist.

Visit the side event website | Concept note | Agenda | Register here

The World Food Forum (WFF), the world's largest youth movement working for a better food future through more efficient, sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agrifood systems, will convene this side event to highlight the essential role of young scientists in identifying and scaling up innovative solutions to achieve the SDGs and driving a positive agrifood systems transformation, with a specific focus on the links between healthy diets and climate action. The event will also introduce the first-ever WFF Young Scientists Group (YSG) and mark the launch of the second edition of the WFF’s Transformative Research Challenge (TRC). Find out more! 

Thursday, 5 May | 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM (EDT)
'Pre-event 2: UN system work on STI for the SDGs, including outcomes of regional STI Forums and global thematic conferences'

The FAO Chief Scientist, Ismahane Elouafi, will participate as a panelist.

This pre-event will feature senior UN officials discussing outcomes of joint work in the IATT membership, and feature reports about the outcomes of closely associated UN commissions, forums and events, such as the Regional STI Forums of the Regional Commissions, the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development, ITU’s AI for Good Summit, the Internet Governance Forum, and of cooperating global initiatives such as GSTIC, the Global Solutions Summit, and others.  

Visit the dedicated STI Forum website | Agenda | Register here | Presentation by FAO Chief Scientist

Friday, 6 May | 7:30 AM - 9:45 AM (EDT)
'Digitalization to achieve the SDGs: Promoting effective and coherent UN support through mapping and country-level initiatives'

Co-organized by the Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology and UN DESA.

FAO Nutrition and Food Systems Officer, Victoria Padula de Quadros, will participate as a panelist.

Visit the side event website | Concept note | Agenda | Register here

The side event will explore how more effective and coherent UN support to Member States on digital is critically needed, as well as promote further awareness of how digital technologies play a crucial role in achieving the SDGs. The Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology and DESA will present the initial results from their joint initiative. UN system entities will also showcase key projects and programmes to illustrate how digitalization can help facilitate the achievement of socio-economic and environmental, sustainable development, with a specific focus on country-level needs.

Friday, 6 May | 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM (EDT)
'Special Event 3: Supporting national capacities and the Partnership in Action for STI4SDG roadmaps'

Visit the side event website | Agenda | Register here

This special event will discuss the path forward for the Partnership in Action, following the successful inception of the Global Pilot Programme on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) for the SDGs roadmaps. The session will also discuss potential support to strengthen international partnerships on STI capacity-building for SDGs achievement in the context of the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) and the SDG Summit 2023.