The Group of Friends on Science for Action will provide an important impetus to create and nurture a culture and practice of science-informed deliberations and cooperation in the UN
Our Bureau
New York
The permanent representatives of Belgium, India, and South-Africa announced the creation of a Group of Friends on Science for Action in presence of the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Csaba Kőrösi. The announcement was made in the midst of the second scientific briefing organized by the President of the General Assembly. The Permanent Representatives which included Ambassador Philippe Kridelka of Belgium, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj of India, and Ambassador Mathu Joyini of South Africa also thanked the International Science Council for its support for this Group of Friends initiative.
According to press release, Science is a key element in addressing today’s interconnected challenges. Preventing and responding to global pandemics, tackling deepening inequalities, reversing the loss of nature, addressing climate change and water emergencies, harnessing technological change for the public good and other challenges require ambitious global cooperation and robust scientific information. The United Nations and its Member States stand to benefit from a stronger and more flexible interface between science, policy and society. Therefore, science needs to be mobilized to inform our decision-making and action at the different levels of the UN. Echoing the call from the UN Secretary-General in his report Our Common Agenda, now is the time to “develop a common, empirically backed consensus on the public good of facts, science and knowledge”.
The release further said that this is also reflected in the Motto of the 77th session of the General Assembly: Solutions through science, sustainability and solidarity. Science is a powerful tool to support multilateral cooperation and diplomacy; and multiple success stories from around the world exist upon which to build. To achieve the 2030 Agenda Science, Technology and Innovation needs to flourish in all countries. The Group of Friends on Science for Action will provide an important impetus to create and nurture a culture and practice of science-informed deliberations and cooperation in the UN, building on on-going efforts.
