JSPG and UN MGCY Highlight Joint Issue before United Nations Commission on Science & Technology for Development

JSPG CEO, Shalin Jyotishi, addresses the 23rd Session of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) meeting, held virtually due to COVID-19.

​Earlier this year, the Journal of Science Policy and Governance and the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth published a special topics issue around the 'Impacts of  Emerging Technologies on Inequality and Sustainability.' This issue highlighted pieces authored by students, policy fellows, and early career researchers addressing important science and technology policy topics with regards to emerging technologies.

JSPG CEO and UNMGCY member Shalin Jyotishi presented the issue and a brief testimony to share the views of early career scientists, engineers, and policy professionals on these topics during the 23rd Session of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) virtual meeting. CSTD is housed within the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).  This opportunity provided an avenue to elevate the voices of the next generation before high-level foreign government leaders. The meeting was focused on  i) harnessing rapid technological change for inclusive and sustainable development, and 2) exploring space technologies for sustainable development. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting also covered how international collaboration is needed to promote the use of science, technology, and innovation (STI) for tackling the pandemic and addressing its impact in an equitable way.

The CSTD is a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) that meets annually at the intergovernmental level to discuss timely and pertinent issues affecting science, technology and development. Outcomes of the CSTD provide the UN General Assembly and ECOSOC with high-level advice and a global normative framework on relevant STI policy issues, as well as support Member States in the design of policies in their respective countries.

It was a different #UNCSTD session this year, but no less important. The issues discussed:
⚗ global science & research collaboration
□the benefits of space tech
□‍□ how we can use rapidly changing technology for the benefit of all, are always relevant.
https://t.co/NSE0HlkNNC pic.twitter.com/0h4TDAFHvi

— UNCTAD (@UNCTAD) June 12, 2020

---

UNCSTD Meeting Submission Statement:

​The United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD), housed within UNCTAD, is a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) that meets annually at the intergovernmental level to discuss timely and pertinent issues affecting science, technology and development. Outcomes of the CSTD provide the UN General Assembly and ECOSOC with high-level advice and a global normative framework on relevant science, technology, and innovation (STI) issues, as well as support Member States in the design of policies in their respective countries.

This year's 23rd Session of the CSTD will focus on 1) harnessing rapid technological change for inclusive and sustainable development, and 2) exploring space technologies for sustainable development. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, it will also discuss how international collaboration is needed to promote the use of STI for tackling the pandemic and addressing its impact in an equitable way.

The Journal of Science Policy and Governance, on behalf of the UN Major Group for Children and Youth, was invited to serve as a discussant to share views of young scientists on these topics. This opportunity provides an avenue to highlight the recently launched UNMGCY-JSPG special issue title 'Impacts of Emerging Technologies on Inequality and Sustainability' and some of the key recommendations found within it. Engaging in the CSTD is an important milestone demonstrating how young scientists can meaningfully contribute to international science-policy dialogues.