This Special Event, organized by the Science and Technological Community Major Group (STC MG), co-chaired by WFEO and the International Science Council (ISC), aims at bringing together the Major Groups and other Stakeholders (MGoS) to discuss ways for improving understanding and communication of the critical role science, technology, innovation and engineering must play for achieving the (SDGs) with a focus on the SDGs under review at the 2023 UN high-level political forum to be held in July 2023 – SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11, and 17.
It will address the urgent need to accelerate progress in the Decade of Action. It will also be an opportunity to discuss sustainable infrastructure and its connections with Science Technology, Innovation, and Engineering for Sustainable Development.
Three topics will be reviewed and discussed to demonstrate how STI & E underpins the achievement of the SDGs and delivers multiplier effects across SDGs. Each topic will be introduced by a brief presentation of the key underlying science, technology, innovation, and engineering concepts. This will be followed by examples of applications in developing countries.
Chair: Dr. K.N. Gunalan, Senior Vice President of AECOM and co chair of the STC MG
Moderator: Nick Perkins, ISC Senior Consultant
Programme:
The programme consists of three topics focused on sustainable development goals related to groundwater, sustainable infrastructure systems, and nature-based solutions. H.E. Ms. Lachezara Stoeva, President of ECOSOC, will give an introduction to the session, followed by the three presentations and ending with an open discussion and closing statements.
The first topic, presented by Dr. Stephen E. Silliman, will focus on the use of groundwater for water supply in developing countries, with a particular emphasis on the potential energy sources that can be integrated into rural or urban infrastructure systems. The second topic, presented by Dr. Cris B. Liban, will examine the importance of sustainable infrastructure systems in supporting basic services such as water, sanitation, electricity, mobility, waste management, and ICT. Finally, Dr. Elizabeth Bryan will discuss the increasing importance of natural and nature-based solutions as alternatives to traditional infrastructure for climate mitigation and adaptation, coastal protection, water quality management, and reducing urban heat. All three topics relate to the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11, and 17.
Image by Christian VDZ on Unsplash.
