The Group of 77 and China marked the second International Day of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for the South with a special event at United Nations Headquarters, underscoring the central role of STI in advancing sustainable development, building resilience, and addressing global challenges.
Held on 16 September 2025 at United Nations Headquarters, the event brought together Member States and partners to commemorate the international day, exchange experiences, and advance preparations for an upcoming High-Level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on STI for Development.
A Call to Action
Opening the event, the G-77 and China emphasized that the International Day is “both a commemoration and a call to action. It highlights the centrality of science, technology, and innovation in tackling the multidimensional crises facing humanity and in advancing the development priorities of the Global South.”
Delegates recalled the 2023 Havana Summit, where Heads of State and Government underscored the indispensable role of STI for economic diversification, competitiveness, resilience, and sustainable development. The Havana Declaration, they noted, not only reiterated the Group’s principled positions but also mandated concrete actions, including the convening of a High-Level Meeting on STI for Development during the 80th UNGA.
UNDP Acting Administrator Haoliang Xu noted that STI is key to achieving development breakthroughs in the Global South. He highlighted UNDP’s new Digital, AI and Innovation Hub as a platform to support countries in leveraging technology for inclusive growth, resilience, and accelerated progress toward the SDGs. Xu stressed that such initiatives help the Global South harness STI for local solutions that address pressing development challenges.
UNOSSC Director Dima Al-Khatib emphasized that the International Day is a reminder of the transformative power of STI in shaping a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable future for developing countries. She highlighted that STI, when combined with South-South and triangular cooperation, allows countries to overcome structural challenges, foster knowledge sharing, and integrate more fully into the global economy. According to Director Al-Khatib, “Science, technology and innovation, when harnessed through inclusive digital transformation, are not just tools – they are enablers of resilience, equity, and sustainable development across the Global South.”
Director Al-Khatib also noted UNOSSC’s strategic role in supporting STI through Trust Funds such as the United Nations Fund for South-South Cooperation, the Pérez-Guerrero Trust Fund (PGTF) established by the Group of 77, the IBSA Fund, and the India-UN Development Partnership Fund , which support country-led, demand-driven projects in areas ranging from climate adaptation and renewable energy to digital inclusion and agricultural innovation. These initiatives, she said, exemplify solidarity and mutual support and contribute directly to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the outcomes of the Havana Summit.
Confronting Global Challenges
High-level speakers included Mr. Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs; Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD (video statement); Dr. Carlos M. Correa, Executive Director of the South Centre (video statement); Mr. Werner Obermeyer, Director of the WHO Office at the UN; and Mr. Athanasios Giannakopoulos from the UN Dag Hammarskjöld Library.
Speakers underlined that developing countries continue to bear the brunt of overlapping crises, including climate change, geopolitical instability, food and energy insecurity, weak health and education systems, rising debt burdens, and entrenched inequalities. These factors are slowing or reversing progress toward the 2030 Agenda, leaving more than two-thirds of the Sustainable Development Goals at risk. In this context, science, technology, and innovation (STI) were highlighted as crucial drivers of productivity, competitiveness, resilience, and deeper integration of the South into the global economy. STI was also seen as indispensable for accelerating progress toward the SDGs.
Bridging the Digital Divide
Digital transformation was identified as a critical area for advancing development, with information and communication technologies viewed as essential for improving public services, stimulating economic growth, and contributing to the achievement of all SDGs. However, many developing countries still face significant obstacles, such as poor infrastructure, high connectivity costs, limited access to digital devices, and gaps in digital literacy and skills. To overcome these barriers, participants stressed the importance of investing in infrastructure, education, and policies that promote inclusive digital participation.
At the same time, the Group cautioned that unilateral coercive measures continue to undermine international cooperation by restricting access to technology and hindering the ability of developing countries to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth.
Shaping the Future
Participants also addressed the rapid pace of technological change. While innovations such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, big data, and cloud computing present enormous opportunities to advance sustainable development, they also bring new risks. These include widening inequality, deepening structural dependency, and reducing the policy space available to developing countries.
The Group called for greater international cooperation to ensure that the benefits of these technologies are shared fairly. This includes technology transfer on preferential terms, enhanced research collaboration, and stronger capacity-building initiatives. They also emphasized the need for fair global governance frameworks for artificial intelligence and data, the development of open AI models, and the protection of digital public goods. Upholding digital sovereignty, equity, and the right to development were presented as guiding principles, with the forthcoming WSIS+20 review expected to incorporate the priorities of the South and promote people-centered digital transformation.
“The future of development is not only shaped by innovation; it is shaped by cooperation. By investing in STI ecosystems, strengthening digital infrastructure, and fostering regional knowledge exchange, countries in the Global South can leapfrog traditional development barriers and build resilience to confront climate, economic, and social shocks,” said UNOSSC Director Dima Al-Khatib said. “UNOSSC stands ready to work with all Member States, partners, and stakeholders to ensure that STI drives inclusive growth, shared prosperity, and sustainable development for the Global South.”
