The Commission on Science and Technology for Development’s (CSTD) twenty-seventh session is scheduled to take place on April 15 – 19, 2024, in Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

The session will serve as a forum for strategic planning, sharing lessons learned, and discussing best practices. Emphasis will be placed on providing foresight into critical trends in science, technology, and innovation (STI) across key sectors of the economy, the environment, and society, along with attention to emerging and disruptive technologies.

Key themes for the twenty-seventh session include ‘Data for Development’ and ‘Global cooperation in science, technology, and innovation for development.’ The Commission will also review progress in implementing and following up on the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society at regional and international levels, along with presentations on ongoing science, technology, and innovation policy reviews.

Representatives from Governments, international organisations, civil society, and the private sector are invited to participate. The session will take place at the Palais des Nations with physical attendance and a simultaneous interpretation platform supporting the six official languages of the UN.

For more information and participation details, please visit the official web page.

About CSTD:

The Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) is a subsidiary of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It was established to advise the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on science and technology issues through analysis and appropriate policy recommendations. It is the focal point of the UN for science, technology, and innovation for development.

Under the mandate given by ECOSOC, the CSTD leads the follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and advises ECOSOC accordingly, including through the elaboration of recommendations aimed at furthering the implementation of the WSIS outcomes. The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is responsible for the servicing of the CSTD. Read more.