Harnessing Science, Technology and Innovation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
Online platform
One of the three components of the Technology Facilitation Mechanism is to develop an online platform as a gateway for information on existing STI initiatives, mechanisms and programs.
Work is now underway to design, develop and operationalize the TFM online platform, including preliminary collection of existing technology applications and initiatives in addressing sustainable development challenges.
The TFM online platform will:
- Be used to establish a comprehensive mapping of, and serve as a gateway for, information on existing science, technology and innovation initiatives, mechanisms and programmes, within and beyond the United Nations
- Facilitate access to information, knowledge and experience, as well as best practices and lessons learned, on science, technology and innovation facilitation initiatives and policies
- Facilitate the dissemination of relevant open access scientific publications generated worldwide.
Independent technical assessment for the online platform
As mandated by the 2030 Agenda, the online platform “will be developed on the basis of an independent technical assessment, which will take into account best practices and lessons learned from other initiatives, within and beyond the United Nations,
in order to ensure that it will complement, facilitate access to and provide adequate information on existing science, technology and innovation platforms, avoiding duplications and enhancing synergies.”
The Interagency task team on STI for the SDGs (“IATT”) and the 10-Member Group of representatives from civil society, the private sector and the scientific community in support of the Technology Facilitation Mechanism (“10-Member Group”) undertook
consultations and developed Terms of Reference for the independent technical assessment.
The Terms of Reference noted the IATT’s initial mapping of existing STI initiatives within the UN system (undertaken by IATT) and the development of three broad options for an online platform - with low, medium and high levels of ambition. It called
for an independent technical assessment to serve as the basis for the development of the online platform. The assessment was to include sections on (a) architecture, functional requirements and user group; (b) stocktaking, benchmarking, best
practices, and lessons learned from existing relevant online platforms, within and beyond the UN system; (c) recommendations on management and governance structure and regular quality control of the platform; and (d) assessment of the benefits
and financial costs.
Terms of Reference for an independent technical assessment on the online platform as part of the Technology Facilitation Mechanism (PDF)
Following an open call, experts from the Institutes of Science and Development of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China; the Overseas Development Institute, UK; and of DNV GL, the Netherlands, prepared the mandated independent assessment of the
online platform. The final report is a consolidated version of the three reports with a joint summary.
The 10-Member Group examined the assessment report and found it a useful basis for further discussion and action. It should be noted that while Members of the Group agree with a number of important suggestions made in the assessment, there remains
a diversity of perspectives on a number of points in the report.
It is therefore important to note that the views expressed in the assessment report do not necessarily represent the views held or endorsed by the 10-Member Group, the UN interagency task team on STI for the SDGs, nor those of the institutions they
represent.
Independent assessment report on the TFM online platform (PDF)
We invite detailed comments, feedback, and suggestions for how best to move forward with the online platform as mandated by the 2030 Agenda. In particular, please let us know, if you are interested to partner with and contribute to the actual development
of the online platform and if so, what role you see yourself playing. Please contact us here before August 31st, 2017.
Mapping of existing information on technology applications
To map existing STI initiatives, mechanisms and programmes, IATT members are collecting examples of technologies to be included in the online platform such as geospatial information technologies, which are critical to sound decision-making in advancing
sustainable development. A preliminary list of technology solutions and applications presented below provides a starting point. Stakeholder engagement in this exercise is critically important.
As just one example, geospatial technology applications and initiatives play an essential role in decision–making for economic growth, resource management and ecosystem protection. Geospatial technology applications are necessary to overcome local, national
and global challenges, and are key tools for the successful attainment of the SDGs, in particular with regard to land management, forest conservation, sustainable agriculture, integrated water resources management, urban planning, disaster risk
reduction and response, and sustainable management of marine and coastal resources.
Demo Version of OLP
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the UN Office of Information and Communication Technology and several other members of the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Team (UN-IATT) have established close collaboration on the development and launch of the OLP. A demo version of this OLP has already been completed on 10 May 2018 and available for the access at
http://ec2-18-208-31-215.compute-1.amazonaws.com
Background
Process
In 2012, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (“Rio+20”) called for identifying options for a technology facilitation mechanism , in its outcome document
A/RES/66/288 - The Future We Want.
Member States continued discussions on the way forward, in particular in the form of eight “workshops” and “structured dialogues” convened by the President of the General Assembly in 2013 and 2014. In line with
Resolution A/RES/68/310 and
Resolution A/RES/69/214 para 12 , the Secretary-General proposed in
paragraph 125 of his Synthesis Report to take into account the recommendations emerging from the structured dialogues, specifically to “establish an online, global platform building on and complementing existing initiatives, and with the participation of all relevant stakeholders.”
In order to support the Secretary General’s proposal, the Interagency Working Group on a Technology Facilitation Mechanism (IAWG) was initiated by the DESA and UNEP at the end of 2014. The group is open for participation by all ECESA Plus entities.
At present it comprises DESA, UNEP, UNIDO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, ITU, WIPO, and the World Bank Group.
The group’s work is structured around four work streams where it identified opportunities to collectively achieve greater impact within the scope of existing mandates:
- the mapping of existing the technology facilitation initiatives including support for policy formulation and strengthening of technological capabilities and innovation systems;
- identifying areas of synergy and areas of possible cooperation within the UN system on technology-related work;
- developing options for a possible online knowledge hub and information-sharing platform; and
- cooperating with relevant stakeholders on building STI capacity building.
In this connection, two side events have being organized by the IAWG: one in June 2015 in New York during the Post-2015 Development Agenda negotiation, and one in July 2015 in Addis Ababa during the Third International Conference on Financing for Development.
The primary objectives of the first event were to brief Member States and other stakeholders on the progress to date of the IAWG on the mapping exercise, the development for options for an online platform, and on enhancing coordination and coherence
of UN system capacity building work on science, technology and innovation. The second event presented a joint interagency statement endorsed by eight Heads of Agencies, and focused on how the United Nations system is prepared to coordinate its initiatives
including capacity-building efforts on science, technology and innovation in support of the sustainable development goals.
Member States have clearly indicated in the OWG proposal and the FfD process that technology development, dissemination and transfer and the strengthening of scientific and technological capabilities of all countries represent key elements of the Means
of Implementation of the post-2015 development agenda. In particular, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda includes a decision to establish a technology facilitation mechanism which would be launched at the UN Summit for the adoption of the Post-2015 Development
Agenda in order to support the SDGs. The mechanism comprises a multi-stakeholder forum on STI for the SDGs; an online platform as a gateway for information on existing STI initiatives, mechanisms and programs; and a UN interagency task team on STI
for the SDGs which will promote coordination, coherence, and cooperation within the UN System on STI related matters, enhancing synergy and efficiency, in particular to enhance capacity building initiatives. The platform will also engage stakeholders
from civil society, the private sector, and the scientific community.
Given the Science Technology Innovation-related decisions contained in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the Post-2015 Development Agenda, the IAWG now reconstitutes as the Inter-Agency Task Team, stands ready to support pro-actively Member States’ ambitions
to establish the envisaged technology facilitation mechanism, and consider how best to reach out to other partners in what must become a truly multi-stakeholder endeavour going forward. A strengthened UN system interagency working group, or task
team, on STI for the SDGs together with strong multi-stakeholder engagement could play an important role in effective delivery, in support of the future implementation of the post-2015 development agenda and the SDGs.
Options
Recommendations of the
Secretary General Report A/67/348
The present report has been prepared pursuant to General Assembly resolution A/66/288 of 27 July 2012 which endorsed the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, entitled “The future we want”. Paragraph 273 of this
resolution requests “relevant United Nations agencies to identify options for a facilitation mechanism that promotes the development, transfer and dissemination of clean and environmentally sound technologies” and requests me to “make recommendations
regarding the facilitation mechanism to the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly”. The report summarizes recent trends, provides an overview of the proposals received and outlines my recommendations for the functions, format, and working methods
of a technology facilitation mechanism, as well as on a potential process forward to improved technology facilitation.
Suggestions by UN organizations
All fifty-three UN organizations of ECESA Plus were invited to make proposals on the functions, format and working methods of a potential technology facilitation mechanism, to outline their contributions to such mechanism, and to indicate partners they
considered essential to be involved. Twenty-two organizations and bodies provided contributions/suggestions, ECA, ECE, ESCAP, ECLAC, ESCWA, DESA, IAEA, IMO, ITU, OHRLLS, UNCDF, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFCCC, UNIDO, UNOPS, UNDP, UN-Women, UNEP, World Bank,
WIPO, and WTO. More material will be posted here in due course
Rio+20 Compilation Document
Over 200 of the submissions made the
Rio+20 compilation document contain various proposals on science and technology for sustainable development. In particular, the following
stakeholders listed below made significant proposals in this area.
Political Groups
Group of 77 and China, EU, CARICOM, Pacific Island Forum, PSIDS Regional preparatory meetings:Africa Region, Latin America and the Caribbean Region, Asia and the Pacific Region, Arab Region, Europe Region
Member States
Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria (EU submission), Belarus, Belgium (EU submission), Benin, Bolivia, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria (EU submission), Burkina Faso, Canada, Central African Republic, Chile, China, China (Beijing
Symposium), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Holy See (Observer State), Honduras (Workshop
on Sustainable Tourism), Hungary, Iceland, India, India (Delhi Ministerial Dialogue), Indonesia (with Bandung Declaration as an annex of its input), Ireland, Israel (national and Meeting on Greening Agriculture), Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan,
Kenya, Lao, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova,
Romania, Russian Federation, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Singapore (Regional 3R Forum in Asia), Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan (Preparatory Conference “Towards the UN Conference on Sustainable
Development: Water Cooperation Issues”), Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UK, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela.
UN system and IGOs
A Blueprint for Ocean and Coastal Sustainability (IOC/UNESCO, FAO, IMO, UNDP), Advisory Group of the UN International Year of Cooperatives, Advisory Group on Environmental Emergencies (AGEE), Alpine Convention, Asian Development Bank, Collaborative Partnership
on Forests, Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, ECESA Plus Cluster on Social Development, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, Global Environment Facility
(GEF), Inter-Agency Consultative Group for SIDS, Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC), Inter-Parliamentary Union, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), International Association of Economic and Social
Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Labour Organization (ILO), International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Monetary
Fund (IMF), International Olympic Committee to the United Nations, International Organization for Migration (IOM), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN), North-East Asian Subregional Programme for Environmental Cooperation (NEASPEC), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), Rome-based agencies (FAO, IFAD, WFP
and Bioversity International),.South Centre, Specialist Group on Soils and Desertification of the IUCN Commission on Environmental Law, Theme on the Environment, Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment (TEMTI) of the Commission on Environmental, Economic
and Social Policy (CEESP), IUCN - International Union for the Conservation of Nature, UN Group on the Information Society (UNGIS), UN Interagency Committee for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (IAC DESD), UN System Chief Executives
Board for Coordination (CEB), UN-Water, UN-Water Decade Programme on Advocacy and Communication, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
(UNCCD), United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI), United Nations Development Group (UNDG), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), United Nations Environment Management Group (EMG), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Global Compact, United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), United Nations International
Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, United
Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Population Division (DESA), United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), United Nations SG's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation (UNSGAB), United Nations Statistics Division, United
Nations University - Institute for Water, Environment & Health (UNU-INWEH), United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS), United Nations Volunteers (UNV), World Bank, World Health Organisation (WHO), World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), World Trade Organization (WTO).
Major groups - consensus documents
Scientific and Technical Community; Local Authorities (ICLEI, C40, nrg4SD, ECO-City Builders, and UCGL); Women; Children and Youth; Workers and Trade Unions (International Trade Union Federation); Farmers; Business and Industry (Business Action for Sustainable
Development 2012); Indigenous Peoples (Indigenous Peoples' International Centre for Policy Research and Education, Indigenous Environmental Network, Indigenous Information Network);
Major groups - selected individual docs
Categories: Academic Institutions, Business and Industry, Children and Youth, Coalitions and Partnerships, Foundation, Indigenous People, Scientific Community, Women. Groups: Third World Network, Stakeholder Forum, WWF, CIEL, Eurostep, Earth Institute,
ICTSD, Arab NGO Network for Development, Climate Action Network International, DAWN, ICTSD, Observatorio Mexicano de la Crisis, RESO-CLIMAT Cameroun, C40, Eco-Accord, Commons Action for the UN, INFORSE, Sustain US, 350.org, Institute for Essential
Services Reform, Business and Industry, Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability, PDMA, World Resources Forum, Asia Pacific Youth, European Youth Meeting, China Youth, European Students' Forum, ETC Group, 21st Century Clusters, AGEDI, Alzheimer's
Disease International, APRN, Boston University (Pardee Center), Information Habitat, CONFEA, Oikos, Chinese Civil Society Organizations.
Publications
Overview of proposals
Proposals for a technology facilitation mechanism:
Suggestions by UN organizations
Ms. Dong Wu
