This forum was attended by member states, nonmember states, and stakeholders. The forum began with representatives from Ghana, Jamaica, and Japan expressing the state-specific problems that need to be addressed to establish STI roadmaps that further SDGs. For example, the Jamaican representative recognized the small size of Jamaica as well as the Caribbean, calling for a competitive and comparative advantage take with STI as this allows for stronger integration with the rest of the world. The financial sector speakers called for investing in STI partnerships and capacities and working with private tech partners.

The next session focused on the evident potential indigenous knowledge that can fulfill SDGs. Speakers from indigenous populations stressed that traditional knowledge needs to be viewed as equal to technology, or categorized as a “specific knowledge system.”  A final proposal of engagement with indigenous populations in order to reach SDG goals through science, innovation, and technology of indigenous people was stated.

The final discussion raised the question of how to effectively facilitate the TFM or the Technology Facilitation Mechanism, a method of sharing information, practices, and policies across  Member States, stakeholders, the private sector, and other entities. There is a gap between the solutions and the ability to “deploy” solutions. All speakers agree that improvement and collaboration is needed to have a successful TFM.  Technology is an underrepresented crucial factor in reaching the SDGs and more needs to be done.

Meeting​:  Third-annual multi-stakeholder Science,Technology and Innovation high level forum focusing on Sustainable Development Goals 6,7,11,12, and 15

Date/Location​: Wednesday  6th June 2018; 10:00 to 13:00; Conference Room 4, United

Nations Headquarters, New York, NY

Speakers​:

H.E. Ms. Patricia Apiagyei,the Deputy Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation

Mr. Teruo Kishi, Science and Technology Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs

Ms. Aisha Jones, Director of Research, National Commission on Science and Technology

Mr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, Senior Vice President for the 2030 Development Agenda, the World Bank Group

Ms. Minnie Degawan, Director, Indigenous and traditional peoples programme in D.C

Mr. Joel Heath, Executive Director, The Arctic Eider Society

Mr. Mulubrhan Gebremikael, UNEP-IEMP (International Ecosystem Management Program)

Ms. Jozelin Soto, Milpa Maguey Tierno de la Mujer Sss

Mr. Alfred Watkins, Chair, Global Solutions Summit, USA

Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)

Ms.Veerle Vandeweerd  Policy Director for G-STIC

Mr. Rafat Al-Akhal, Secretary for Pathways for Prosperity

Written By​: WIT Representative Mariam Elsaker