GYA was well represented at the 2017 Science-Technology-Innovation Forum at the UN Headquarters in New York. The event took place on 15-16 May 2017 and was noted not only for the diverse group of stakeholders (diplomats, ministers of science and technology, advisors to the government, NGOs and members of academia) but also for a large number of student attendees. The event highlighted the need for integration across the Sustainable Development Goalss and the importance of science, technology and innovation as a common denominator in achieving nearly all of the SDGs.
GYA member Muhammad Zaman (Boston University, GYA member since 2016) represented the GYA at this high-level forum. Muhammad was also a participant and a panelist in multiple side events, including “Innovative Solutions toward Realising the SDGs” (sponsored by the Japanese Government and Japanese Science and Technology Agency), or the InterAcademy Partnership’s (IAP) event on “Mobilising the Global Science Community To Support the SDGs”. He was also involved in organising the event on “Promoting Equitable Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics – The Role of Innovations and Innovators”.
Overall, the meeting had both the high-level discussions needed to mobilise resources and the honest and candid conversations that tackle the stubborn obstacles for achieving these ambitious targets when it comes to the SDGs.
To read more of Muhammad’s reflections and observations about current opportunities and challenges, see his recent blog post in the Huffington Post here.