1340. International Day of Science, Technology and Innovation for the South

Today, science, technology and innovation are increasingly important in all areas of human life. As science and technology rapidly advance, some developing countries are seizing opportunities to leapfrog their development stages. However, for many other countries, this rapidly changing landscape poses significant challenges, particularly in the Global South, where governance issues and efforts to effectively innovate and adapt are prominent. Further complicating these challenges is the persistent disparity in technology access between developed and developing countries. This is primarily due to differences in technological capabilities and inadequate governance structures for widespread technology adoption.

September 16, International Day of Science, Technology and Innovation for the South, provides an opportunity to reaffirm that promoting science, technology and innovation is essential not only to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that "leave no one behind," but also to creating a more equitable, participatory, and inclusive world. Achieving sustainable development is an increasingly challenging task for many developing countries in a world characterized by significant economic, social, and environmental polarization, and a widespread lack of interest in achieving the multilaterally agreed SDGs.

Achieving the SDGs by 2030 will require extensive research and development (R&D) efforts to address complex global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and pandemics.

Contributor: Miyuki IIYAMA, Information Program