Unlocking the Potential of Science, Technology, and Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals
FAO Director-General Emphasizes Importance of Science, Technology, and Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals
New York – In a recent address at the Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), highlighted the vast potential of science, technology, and innovation in addressing key global challenges.
Qu emphasized the importance of ensuring that technology is suitable to individual needs and accessible and affordable in order to drive progress in ensuring food security and nutrition, reducing poverty, and safeguarding the environment. The theme for the 2024 STI Forum focuses on tackling challenges in times of multiple crises and delivering sustainable, resilient, and innovative solutions.
Artificial Intelligence is expected to play a major role in future initiatives, particularly in rural, indigenous, and local communities where issues of poverty, food security, and nutrition are interconnected. STI has the potential to unlock employment opportunities, empower small-scale producers, and bridge the rural divide.
FAO has been actively working to bring STI closer to its members, with initiatives such as the 1000 Digital Villages Initiative, the Hand-in-Hand Initiative, and the Geospatial Platform. Qu emphasized the need for adequate financing to successfully use STI for the SDGs, including ending the decline in public investments in agricultural research and promoting participatory approaches for technology co-creation.
The STI Forum aligns closely with the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, with a focus on ending poverty, hunger, and combating climate change. The forum featured entrepreneurs showcasing innovative solutions, including accessible milk pasteurization tools and clean transportation approaches.
Overall, Qu’s remarks underscore the critical role of science, technology, and innovation in driving sustainable development and achieving the SDGs.