UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development outlines global policy priorities at 29th Session in Geneva

By:  Robert Kwaku Annor

The 29th session of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) has convened in Geneva, bringing together policymakers and experts to address the evolving role of science, technology, and innovation in global development.

The session covered a broad range of interconnected policy areas, including science, technology and innovation (STI) for development, artificial intelligence governance, data governance, technical cooperation, and follow-up to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Discussions also included informal consultations on draft resolutions and a closing plenary.

A central feature of the session was the ministerial roundtable, which aligned closely with the agendas of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the High-Level Political Forum, particularly in relation to Sustainable Development Goal 9 and Sustainable Development Goal 17. The discussions focused on the role of STI in driving productivity, industrial development, infrastructure resilience, sustainable urbanisation, and energy transitions, while also addressing persistent challenges such as uneven innovation capacities, digital divides, and fragmented national innovation systems.

The ministerial segment brought together a diverse group of government officials, reflecting varying national approaches to governance in the STI sector. Participants included Noureddine Ouadah, Marie Thérèse Sombo Ayane Safi, Blade Nzimande, Ernesto Rodríguez Hernández, Mohammad Mohsen Sadr, Shaukat Abdulrazak, Nilsa Sandra Miquidade, Michał Gramatyka, and Mohd Sijiamini Mohd.

The discussions highlighted differences in how countries structure governance for innovation, with some placing STI under dedicated science and technology ministries, while others integrate it within digital affairs, communications, higher education, or broader economic portfolios. Algeria’s model, featuring a dedicated ministry for the knowledge economy, start-ups, and micro-enterprises, was cited as a distinctive approach to shaping innovation policy.

Further deliberations focused on the role of STI in the age of artificial intelligence, with participants examining issues related to AI governance, research and development, and international coordination. The session explored initiatives such as global dialogue platforms on AI governance and proposals for international scientific collaboration frameworks.

Participants also addressed the implications of AI for innovation policy, including the need for adaptive regulatory systems, strengthened data governance, and expanded capacity-building efforts. The importance of open science and international cooperation was emphasised as critical to ensuring equitable access to technological advancements.

The session reinforced the growing importance of coordinated global action in leveraging science and technology to achieve sustainable development, while addressing emerging challenges in digital transformation and innovation governance.