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International Conference to explore STI contribution to sustainable development

NEW DELHI, 9 February 2018 – The 18th Global Development Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for Development is set to take place from 22 to 23 March in New Delhi, India. For the first time, such a conference will explore the specific contribution of STI to global health challenges, sustainable agriculture and skills, employment and industrial transformation.

Download the latest press release here.

Organizers stress the importance of the Conference to further the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “STI is a key tool for moving the world onto a sustainable path and, as such, a key ingredient for achieving the United Nations’ ambitious 2030 Agenda, including its SDGs,” says Cecilia Ugaz Estrada, Director of the Department of Policy Research and Statistics at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). This sentiment is echoed by Howard White, CEO of Campbell Collaboration, who notes that “development and poverty reduction require innovation” and that the Conference will “help inform policy and practice for continued growth in India, the region, and the world beyond.”

The Conference is also expected to touch upon the added ingredients needed for STI to be successful, especially in developing and transition countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Pierre Jacquet, President of the Global Development Network (GDN), expects the Conference to “discuss how sustainable development requires and builds not only on scientific proficiency and technological advances, but also, importantly, societal and policy change.”

The 18th in a series of reputed global development conferences around the world, the event will gather global actors from developed and developing countries representing governments, research, private sector and civil society. Sessions will feature examples of research, programmes and policies that either develop innovation or concretely use technological progress to improve the quality of life in developing countries. 

“In teaming up with GDN and partners to organize this event, UNIDO aims to leverage its convening function and thereby provide a channel for informing the global discussion on best approaches to harnessing STI for SDGs,” says Ugaz Estrada.

Conference outcomes will be focused on building sustainable development. Professor M.R. Murthy, Director of the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development (ISID), observes the need for “a model that is sustainable and inclusive for the prosperity of human beings and their peaceful co-existence.”  

The Conference is organized in partnership between the Campbell CollaborationGDNISID and UNIDO.

Find out more about the event here. See the tentative agenda here.

Follow the discussions live on 22-23 March via GDN’s Facebook page.

You can also engage on Twitter via @GDNint@campbellreviews and @UNIDO using #STI4D.

For media related queries, please contact

Madhuri Dass Woudenberg

Head of Communications

Global Development Network (GDN)

T: +91 9350209494

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