May 7, 2026, New York: The Eleventh Annual Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) has concluded today at the UN Headquarters in New York, with the theme focused on “Transformative, equitable and coordinated science, technology and innovation for the 2030 Agenda and a sustainable future for all.”
Again, the Forum emphasized 5 Sustainable Development Goals, of which the 2026 HLPF will hold in-depth reviews: SDG 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; SDG 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; SDG 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation; SDG 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; and SDG 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. T’ECH DP has substantive linkages to SDG 6, SDG 11, and SDG 17.
The two-day discussions “speed-dated” around three key topics: water, energy, and innovation including AI. Water is an issue that cuts across all development goals; and indeed, water is life, as emphasized by Prof. Helmut Habersack, UNESCO Chair at University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria. Meanwhile, energy is probably the most important goal underlining all other goals, as pointed out by Prof. Vladimir Crnojević, founder and director of the BioSense Institute and professor at the University of Novi Sad, Serbia, who moderated the clean energy session on May 7. Fast growing contributions to science and innovation from developing countries highlighted by Prof. Carlos Brito Cruz, Senior Vice-President Research Networks at Elsevier, UK, and Professor Emeritus at the University of Campinas (Unicamp), Brazil.
The Forum was convened by the President of ECOSOC His Excellency Mr. Lok Bahadur Thapa, and co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Chola Milambo, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations, and H.E. Mr. Gregor W. Koessler, Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations.
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