By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
South Africa has called on
governments to institutionalise science-based policymaking to address pressing
socio-economic and environmental challenges, as the country participated in
global discussions under the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable
Development.
Deputy Minister of Science,
Technology and Innovation, Dr. Nomalungelo Gina, delivered the message during
the UNESCO Global Conference of the International Decade of Sciences for
Sustainable Development in Paris, where she participated in high-level discussions
on the role of scientific evidence in shaping public policy.
Dr. Gina also took part as a
discussant in a thematic session titled “The Exposome in Action: Global
Strategies for Translating Total Environmental Exposure Science into Prevention
and Policy,” held as part of the Global Exposome Forum.
Addressing delegates, the
Deputy Minister said the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable
Development should help countries move beyond recognising the value of science
to embedding scientific evidence into planning, budgeting, implementation and
public accountability.
She said South Africa
continues to face significant challenges, including unemployment, food
insecurity and inequality, making evidence-based decision-making essential for
improving public services and driving sustainable development.
Dr. Gina highlighted South
Africa’s institutional framework for translating scientific research into
policy, citing the Academy of Science of South Africa, the National Advisory
Council on Innovation and national observatories that provide science-based policy
advice.
She called on governments to
establish permanent mechanisms that connect scientific evidence with planning,
budgeting, procurement, implementation and accountability to ensure research
informs national development priorities.
According to the Deputy
Minister, the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development
presents an opportunity to make science more visible, inclusive and impactful
in public decision-making.
She said the success of the
initiative would ultimately be measured by its ability to help countries use
scientific evidence to address real-world challenges, including reducing
unemployment and inequality, supporting a just energy transition, strengthening
food and water security, improving health outcomes, enhancing industrial
competitiveness, building resilient institutions and improving citizens’
quality of life.
