Side events at the 2023 UN Forum on Innovation for the SDGs in New York
Now open: Call for side events at the 2023 Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs
8th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals
The eighth annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (STI Forum) will be held from 3 to 4 May 2023. The Forum will be convened by the President of ECOSOC Her Excellency Lachezara Stoeva who has appointed two co-chairs – H.E. Ms. Mathu Joyini, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations and H.E. Mr. Thomas Woodroffe, United Kingdom Ambassador to the UN Economic and Social Council. As per its mandate, the Forum will be organized by the UN interagency task team on STI for the SDGs (IATT), convened by UN-DESA and UNCTAD, and the 10-Member Group of high-level representatives appointed by the Secretary General.
In line with recent mandates and as in previous years, the STI Forum will facilitate discussions on science, technology and innovation cooperation in support of the SDGs. In addition to providing the mandated inputs for the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development to be held from 10 to 19 July 2023, the Forum will also take a broader look at the contribution of STI to the achievement of all the SDGs in recognition of the September mid-term review of SDG progress.
Accordingly, the theme for the STI Forum 2023 is: “Science, technology and innovation for accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels”.
General participation guidelines
8th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals
Science, technology, and innovation (STI) for accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels
3-4 May 2023
Guidelines for Side Events Pursuant to General Assembly decision A/RES/73/226 of 20 December 2018, the 8thannual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (STI Forum) will be held from 3 to 4 May 2023 at the UN Headquarters in New York. The Forum will be convened by the President of ECOSOC,Her Excellency Lachezara Stoeva,who has appointed two co-chairs –H.E. Ms. Mathu Joyini, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations; and H.E. Mr. Thomas Woodroffe, United Kingdom Ambassador to the UN Economic and Social Council–to guide the organization of the Forum.Side events can be organized in connection with the STI Forum, either in-person or virtually, by Member States, the UN system, Intergovernmental Organizations and accredited non-governmental stakeholders. The side events will be an opportunity for all participants to share knowledge and solutions to accelerate implementation of science, technology, and innovation, identify new and emerging issues, exchange national and local experiences and practices, and showcase voluntary commitments for the role of STI in achievingthe 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Side events may be held on the day prior to the Forum (2 May: from 10 am to 6 pm, EST), as well as on the days of the STI Forum itself, during specific designated times (3-4 May: from8:30 amto 9:45 am, from 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm, or from 6:15 pmto 7:45 pm, EST).
Who is eligible to organize side events?
Member States, Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs), UN entities, and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the ECOSOC can apply to have a side event inside the UN Headquarters, outside the UN Headquarters, or virtually. Submissions by universities, laboratories, and scientific and engineering organizations, partnerships and initiatives without consultative status will be considered on a case-by-case basis.All interested parties are strongly encouraged to partner with others to organize a side event.
Application process:
The Call for Side Events is open from 13 February–6 March 2023.
Deadline for submission of applications is COB EST 6 March 2023.