The tenth annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (STI Forum) will be held from Wednesday, 7 May, to Thursday, 8 May 2025, at the UN Headquarters in New-York.
The theme for the STI Forum 2025 is: “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based, science and technology solutions and innovations for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind”.
As in previous years, the theme of the STI Forum will be closely aligned with that of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), to be held from Monday, 14 July, to Wednesday, 23 July 2025, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
The STI Forum will have an exclusive focus on the role and contributions of science, technology and innovation to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2025 HLPF will hold in-depth reviews of five SDGs:
- Goal 3. Ensure health and well-being for all;
- Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls;
- Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all;
- Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development; and
- Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.
Within the STI Forum, WFEO will organize the in-person side event entitled “Leveraging AI to Accelerate Sustainable Development and the SDGs” on 6 May from 13:15 to 14:45 PM EDT at the Conference Room C.
Background
There is a lot of buzz around AI; what it can or cannot do including concerns for human rights and other ethical challenges. To leverage AI’s potential, we first need to acknowledge the need for reliable sustainable and resilient infrastructure specifically energy and water (SDGs 6,7,and 9) in addition to digital infrastructure. WFEO is engaged in raising awareness and building capacity to leverage AI for accelerating achievement of the SDGs. As part of its capacity building efforts, WFEO has developed a roadmap for preparing the engineering and technology workforce for an AI future.
In addition to its impacts on the SDGs, AI has the potential to greatly improve UN processes including ensuring timely information gets to the HLPF leading to more robust and impactful ministerial declarations. The UN with its global convening power can and should serve as the platform for building trust and confidence in the use of AI for sustainable development.
The session will hear from experts on what is needed, what is being done and how the UN working collaborating with all of its stakeholders can embrace and leverage AI for sustainable development and the SDGs.
Moderator:
- Dr. K. N. Gunalan, P.E., Pres. 20 ASCE, BC.GE., NAC, Co-Chair of the Science and Technological Community Major Group (STC MG), and Chair of the WFEO-UN Relations Committee (WURC)
Opening Remarks:
- Mr. Bob Rae, President of ECOSOC (TBC)
Panelists:
- Dr. Gong Ke, WFEO Past President
- Ms. Eva Lerner-Lam – Chair ASCE AI Committee
- Ms. Carolina Rojas – Younger Member Engineering for Change (E4C)
- Mr. Milind Awasarmol – Indigenous Peoples Stakeholder Group
- Dr. Morgan Seag – International Science Council (ISC) Senior Representative to UN System
Concluding remarks:
- Mr. Mustafa Shehu, WFEO President
For more information, you can contact the WFEO secretariat at: secretariat @ wfeo . org (without the spaces)
On 7 May, Dr. K. N. Gunalan will deliver a statement during the thematic session 1: “Making artificial intelligence (AI) accessible, inclusive and beneficial for all”, which will be held from 15:00 to 18:00 (EST)
Part 1 – will explore actionable pathways for AI to reduce inequalities, promote innovation, and empower communities worldwide, in line with sustainable development and the well-being and rights of individuals. Discussions delve into the technical, ethical, and societal dimensions of democratizing AI applications and capabilities, highlighting approaches that ensure open and equitable access, affordability, transparency, accountability, and utility for diverse contexts and populations. Building on the Pact for the Future, this session will explore bridging AI gaps including through policy exchanges, knowledge-sharing, training, and preventing brain drain.
Part 2 – will highlight solutions and breakthroughs in AI that are currently improving work conditions, creating jobs and supporting economic growth as well as advancing health and well-being. Examples will be showcased in access to healthcare services and social protection, and in entrepreneurial ecosystems including in developing countries. It will also consider examples of national capacity development and funding models for promising applications.
The streaming of this session will be available on this page.
On 8 May, Dr. K. N. Gunalan will be a discussant on the Special Event “Celebrating a Decade of STI for the SDGs – Progress & Future Opportunities”, taking place during the 2025 STI Forum, 13:15 – 14:45 (EST), ECOSOC Chamber, UN Headquarters, New York .
This session will reflect on 10 years of IATT’s contributions and partnerships in advancing STI for the SDGs; highlight key achievements and lessons learned, and explore future opportunities to accelerate STI-driven solutions, building on the momentum from the Summit of the Future.
Moderator:
- Mr. Navid Hanif Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UN DESA (tbc)
Speakers:
- Ms. Lidia Arthur Brito, Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, UNESCO
- Ms. Ligia Noronha, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the New York Office of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- Mr. Seizo Onoe, Director, Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- Mr. Vincent Martin, Director of Office of Innovation, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- Mr. Angel González Sanz, Head of Technology, Innovation and Knowledge Development Branch, Division on Technology and Logistics, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Discussants:
- Dr. K. N. Gunalan, P.E., Pres. 20 ASCE, BC.GE., NAC, Co-Chair of the Science and Technological Community Major Group (STC MG), and Chair of the WFEO-UN Relations Committee (WURC)
- Representatives from ISC
For more information: