The UN Secretary-General's Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) convened for its second meeting, to define the Board's future programme of work in line with major 2015 UN events and processes, including negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable development (HLPF); and the 21st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
11 December 2014: The UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) convened for its second meeting, to define the Board’s future programme of work in line with major 2015 UN events and processes, including negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF); and the 21st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
According to the Board’s discussion of its activities since its inaugural meeting in January 2014, it has, inter alia: provided advice on the role of science, technology and innovation (STI) for sustainable development to the Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including on the definition of the SDGs and targets; presented recommendations at the 2014 Climate Summit; and emphasized the importance of equitable access to quality data and provided recommendations to the UN Independent Expert Advisory Group on a Data Revolution for Sustainable Development (IEAG). The Board also considered potential collaborative initiatives with international and regional science-related bodies.
Addressing the Board via video, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highlighted five areas where the SAB could make a difference: suggest how to strengthen HLPF; provide input for the Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR); contribute to the data revolution for sustainable development; advise on climate change in support of adopting a universal climate agreement in 2015; and contribute thoughts on means of implementation (MOI) for the post-2015 development agenda. Ban said he is counting on the Board to help ensure the post-2015 development agenda “is based on sound science and evidence.”
The SAB, which is chaired by Irina Bokova, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), met from 10-11 December 2014, at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France. The SAB also met with UNESCO member states to inform them of the meeting outcomes.
Ban Ki-moon launched the SAB on 30 January 2014, to provide advice on STI for sustainable development to the UN-Secretary-General and UN Executive Heads. It is composed of 26 scientists representing all regions and many scientific disciplines. [UNESCO Press Release] [UN Secretary-General’s Message]