Commission on Science and Technology for Development, twenty-fifth session

 Online 
Geneva
UNCTAD

The Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) is a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations focal point for science, technology and innovation (STI) for development, in analyzing how STI, including information and communications technologies (ICTs), serve as enablers of the 2030 Agenda.

It acts as a forum for strategic planning, sharing lessons learned and best practices, providing foresight about critical trends in STI in key sectors of the economy, the environment and society, and drawing attention to emerging and disruptive technologies.

Every year, the commission has two priority themes. For the twenty-fifth session, these are:

  1. Industry 4.0 for inclusive development.
  2. Science, technology and innovation for sustainable urban development in a post-pandemic world.

The Commission will also review the progress made in the implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society at the regional and international levels; and hear presentations on ongoing science, technology and innovation policy reviews.

Participants will include representatives of Governments, international organizations, civil society and the private sector.

Programme

28 March

  • Opening ceremony, followed by a dialogue between eminent economists and scientists on the opportunities of and challenges in scientific breakthroughs for sustainable development.
  • High-level round table on the role of science, technology and innovation in a sustainable and resilient recovery from the current pandemic. Held as a contribution to the Economic and Social Council and the high-level political forum on sustainable development, whilst at the same time advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

29 March

  • High-level session on Industry 4.0 for inclusive development.

30 March

  • High-level session on Science, technology and innovation for sustainable urban development in a post-pandemic world.

31 March

  • High-level session to review the progress made in the implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society at the regional and international levels.

1 April

  • Science, technology and innovation policy reviews.
  • Gender dimension in science, technology and innovation policies.

Logistics

The session will be held with physical participation at the Palais des Nations and remote participation through a simultaneous interpretation platform in the six official languages of the United Nations.

A link to the formal virtual meeting will be sent to registered participants, at the email address used for registration, one day in advance of the start of the session.

Language(s)
English  |  Français  |  Español  |  简体中文  |  Русский