President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Lok Bahadur Thapa convened the 11th annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (STI Forum). Participants focused on STI contributions to the achievement of the SDGs, warning that without open and global access, emerging technologies could widen global inequality.
Permanent Representative of Zambia Chola Milambo and Permanent Representative of Austria Gregor W. Koessler co-chaired the STI Forum. The Forum focused on the theme, ‘Transformative, equitable and coordinated science, technology and innovation for the 2030 Agenda and a sustainable future for all,’ which is closely aligned with that of the 2026 UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) and the HLPF’s in-depth reviews of SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), and SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals).
In his opening remarks, Bahadur Thapa highlighted STI as accelerators of the SDGs and called for closing digital divides and advancing inclusive and equitable digital technologies, in line with the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact. He also cited the Sevilla Commitment and the Doha Political Declaration, noting that “these are not separate agendas… [but] part of the same effort – to ensure that innovation translates into opportunity.”
In her keynote address, Rita Orji, Canada Research Chair in Persuasive Technology at Dalhousie University, Canada, said most artificial intelligence (AI) is “designed for the context of abundance.” Warning against measuring AI by speed and scale alone, she urged focus on whether it supports human dignity and helps communities shape their future.
In his keynote speech, Helmut Habersack, Head of the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and River Research at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria, cautioned against overreliance on AI, emphasizing that observation, experimentation, and direct engagement with the natural world are the drivers of scientific knowledge.
During a ministerial session on strengthening the science-policy nexus to drive sustainable development, participants shared lessons learned about harnessing STI to enable SDG progress. They reflected on what should be done differently in the second half of 2030 Agenda implementation to enable STI solutions to drive transformation, and highlighted country experiences and practices to inform the way forward.
The STI Forum featured three thematic sessions that focused on:
- Transforming water systems with STI;
- Powering sustainable development through clean energy technologies for affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all; and
- Shaping the future of STI for sustainable development in times of uncertainty and change.
The 2026 STI Forum Solutions Book, launched during the Forum, highlights 60 innovations that are helping address complex and interconnected development challenges.
Organized by the UN interagency task team on STI for the SDGs (IATT), the 11th STI Forum was convened by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the UN 10-Member-Group of High-level Representatives of Civil Society, Private Sector and Scientific Community to support the UN Technology Facilitation Mechanism, appointed by the UN Secretary-General.
The STI Forum took place in New York, US, from 6-7 May 2026. Ahead of the Forum, on 5 May, the President of ECOSOC and the President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) held a joint special meeting on advancing science, technology, and youth entrepreneurship for development. [11th STI Forum] [UN Meetings Coverage: STI Forum, 6 May] [UN Meetings Coverage: STI Forum, 7 May]