A/RES/80/147 GA
Science, technology and innovation for sustainable development : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly
80
Session
180
Yes
2
No
0
Abstentions
| Draft symbol | A/C.2/80/L.47 |
|---|---|
| Adopted symbol | A/RES/80/147 |
| Category | SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY |
| P5 Positions |
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| UN Document | A/RES/80/147 ↗ |
Vote Recorded Vote — A/80/PV.64
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Serbia
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Full text of resolution
United Nations
A/RES/80/147
General Assembly
Distr.: General
18 December 2025
25-20763 (E)
*2520763*
Eightieth session
Agenda item 20 (a)
Globalization and interdependence: science, technology and
innovation for sustainable development
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
on 15 December 2025
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/80/555, para. 7)]
80/147. Science, technology and innovation for sustainable development
The General Assembly,
Reaffirming its resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015, entitled “Transforming
our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, in which it adopted a
comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centred set of universal and transformative
Sustainable Development Goals and targets, its commitment to working tirelessly for
the full implementation of the Agenda by 2030, its recognition that eradicating
poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest
global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, its
commitment to achieving sustainable development in its three dimensions –
economic, social and environmental – in a balanced and integrated manner, and to
building upon the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals and seeking
to address their unfinished business,
Reaffirming also its resolution 69/313 of 27 July 2015 on the Addis Ababa
Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development,
which is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, supports
and complements it, helps to contextualize its means of implementation targets with
concrete policies and actions, and reaffirms the strong political commitment to
address the challenge of financing and creating an enabling environment at all levels
for sustainable development in the spirit of global partnership and solidarity,
Welcoming the convening of the Fourth International Conference on Financing
for Development from 30 June to 3 July 2025 in Sevilla, Spain, and reaffirming its
outcome document, the Sevilla Commitment, endorsed by the General Assembly in
its resolution 79/323 of 25 August 2025, which sets forth a renewed global framework
for financing for development, building on the 2015 Addis Ababa Action Agenda, 1 to
_______________
1 General Assembly resolution 69/313, annex.
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close with urgency the estimated annual 4 trillion United States dollar financing gap, 2
and catalyse sustainable development investments at scale in developing countries
and continue the reform of the international financial architecture through continued
and strong commitment to multilateralism, international cooperation, and global
solidarity,
Reaffirming the Paris Agreement3 and its early entry into force, encouraging all
its Parties to fully implement the Agreement, and Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change4 that have not yet done so to deposit their
instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, where appropriate, as
soon as possible,
Recalling its resolution 78/160 of 19 December 2023 on science, technology and
innovation for sustainable development and its previous resolutions on the issue, 5
Taking note of Economic and Social Council resolution 2025/19 of 29 July 2025
on science, technology and innovation for development and previous Council
resolutions on the issue,6 taking note also of Council resolution 2021/30 of 22 July
2021 on open-source technologies for sustainable development, and welcoming its
resolution 79/325 of 26 August 2025, in which it established the multidisciplinary
Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and the Global
Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance,
Recalling with appreciation its resolution 79/334 of 5 September 2025 on the
impact of rapid technological change on the achievement of the Sustainable
Development Goals and targets,
Recalling the World Summit on the Information Society and its outcomes,7 as
well as other relevant intergovernmentally agreed outcomes,
Taking note of the reports of the Commission on Science and Technology for
Development on its fourteenth to twenty-eighth sessions,8
Taking note also of the report of the Secretary-General,9
Welcoming the convening of the Summit of the Future on 22 and 23 September
2024 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, at which resolution 79/1
entitled “The Pact for the Future” and its annexes were adopted, which include a
_______________
2 Financing for Sustainable Development Report 2024 (United Nations publication, 2024),
figure I.1.
3 Adopted under the UNFCCC in FCCC/CP/2015/10/Add.1, decision 1/CP.21.
4 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822.
5 Resolutions 58/200, 59/220, 60/205, 61/207, 62/201, 64/212, 66/211, 68/220, 70/213, 72/228,
74/229 and 76/213.
6 Economic and Social Council resolutions 2006/46, 2009/8, 2010/3, 2011/17, 2012/6, 2013/10,
2014/28, 2015/27, 2016/23, 2017/22, 2018/29, 2019/25, 2020/13, 2021/29, 2022/16, 2023/4 and
2024/14.
7 See A/C.2/59/3 and A/60/687.
8 Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2011, Supplement No. 11 (E/2011/31);
ibid., 2012, Supplement No. 11 and corrigendum (E/2012/31 and E/2012/31/Corr.1); ibid., 2013,
Supplement No. 11 and corrigendum (E/2013/31 and E/2013/31/Corr.1); ibid., 2014, Supplement
No. 11 (E/2014/31); ibid., 2015, Supplement No. 11 (E/2015/31); ibid., 2016, Supplement No. 11
(E/2016/31); ibid., 2017, Supplement No. 11 (E/2017/31); ibid., 2018, Supplement No. 11
(E/2018/31); ibid., 2019, Supplement No. 11 (E/2019/31); ibid., 2020, Supplement No. 11
(E/2020/31); ibid., 2021, Supplement No. 11 (E/2021/31); ibid., 2022, Supplement No. 11
(E/2022/31); ibid., 2023, Supplement No. 11 (E/2023/31); ibid., 2024, Supplement No. 11
(E/2024/31); and ibid., 2025, Supplement No. 11 (E/2025/31).
9 A/80/221.
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dedicated section on science, technology and innovation and digital cooperation and
an annexed Global Digital Compact,10
Recalling the ongoing efforts to implement the commitments of the Global
Digital Compact, within countries and at the regional and global levels, taking into
account different national realities, capacities and levels of development, and
respecting national policies and priorities and applicable legal frameworks,
Welcoming the establishment by the Commission on Science and Technology
for Development of a dedicated working group to engage in a comprehensive and
inclusive multi-stakeholder dialogue on data governance at all levels as relevant for
development,
Recalling its resolution 77/326 of 25 August 2023 proclaiming the period 2024–
2034 the International Decade on Sciences for Sustainable Development, which
highlighted the critical role that sciences play in the pursuit of sustainable
development in its three dimensions as one of the key means of implementation,
Expressing appreciation for the role of the United Nations Conference on Trade
and Development as the secretariat of the Commission on Science and Technology
for Development and its efforts to support the Commission’s Multi-stakeholder
Working Group on Data Governance at All Levels, as Relevant for Development,
Recalling its resolution 78/259 of 9 January 2024 on the International Day of
Science, Technology and Innovation for the South, in which it called upon the
international community to foster an open, fair, inclusive and non‑discriminatory
environment for scientific and technological development and cooperation, and to
support all countries, particularly those of the global South, in strengthening their
national science, technology and innovation systems,
Taking note of the work of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board
for Coordination on the impact of new and emerging technologies and on promoting
innovation to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals,
Recognizing that science, technology and innovation, including environmentally
sound technologies and information and communications technologies, are critical in
the pursuit of sustainable development and are one of the key means of
implementation of the intergovernmentally agreed development outcomes, including
the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, and reiterating the need to
accelerate the transfer of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries
on favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms, as mutually
agreed,
Noting that the 2023 Global Sustainable Development Report identifies science,
technology and innovation as one of the levers for transformation to accelerate
progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and that its strategic
deployment has the potential to resolve and minimize trade-offs among the Goals and
targets, recognizes that technology transfer to developing countries on mutually
agreed terms will be critical to scale up and accelerate the implementation of the 2030
Agenda, and advocates for science that is multidisciplinary, equitably and inclusively
produced, openly shared, trusted and relevant to society,
Taking note of the establishment of the Office for Digital and Emerging
Technologies,
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10 Resolution 79/1, annex I.
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Taking note also of the report of the Secretary-General entitled “Innovative
voluntary financing options for artificial intelligence capacity-building”,11 which was
developed in line with the request contained in resolution 79/1 and that took into
account, inter alia, the recommendation on a Global Fund for AI,
Emphasizing the importance of increased investment, particularly from the
private sector and philanthropy, to scale up artificial intelligence capacity-building
for sustainable development, and recognizing the need to scale up artificial
intelligence capacity-building, leveraging existing United Nations and multi-
stakeholder mechanisms to bridge artificial intelligence divides, facilitate access to
artificial intelligence applications and build capacity and high-performance
computing and related skills in developing countries,
Emphasizing also that science, technology and innovation play a key role in
accelerating the pace of economic diversification and transformation, improving
productivity and competitiveness, as well as enabling the full participation of
developing countries in the global economy,
Acknowledging the contribution of science, technology and innovation to
accelerate sustainable and inclusive development and the transition to resilient,
knowledge-based societies and economies, including in low- and middle-income
countries, and, in that context, acknowledging the importance of the provision of the
necessary means of implementation to developing countries to strengthen their
scientific and technological capacities, including in the field of higher education,
research and innovation,
Reaffirming that the creation, development and diffusion of new innovations and
technologies and associated know-how, including the transfer of technology on
mutually agreed terms, are powerful drivers of economic growth and sustainable
development,
Recognizing that the digital economy is the fastest-growing sector of the global
economy, yet that investments remain highly concentrated and uneven across regions
and sectors, but with South-South investment also growing, and emphasizing that
foreign direct investment, strengthening data governance and intellectual property
protection are necessary to ensure a global-level playing field and can foster an open,
fair, inclusive and non‑discriminatory digital environment for all,
Underscoring that rapid technological change brings enormous opportunities to
accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, while it also poses
new challenges, including perpetuating divides within and between countries,
Emphasizing the importance of science, technology and innovation,
international scientific and medical cooperation, the need to strengthen global
solidarity and the provision of the required means of implementation for developing
countries to prevent, prepare and respond to future pandemics and other health
emergencies,
Reaffirming that the same rights that people have offline must also be protected
online, and emphasizing that adaptation to rapid technological change should be
considered not only as a function of sustainable development and the spreading of
information and communications technologies, but also with respect to the realization
of all human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Noting the multilateral and regional initiatives aimed at promoting social
prosperity through inclusive participation and growth across the digital economy,
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11 A/79/966.
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including, inter alia, the establishment of the Digital Cooperation Organization in
2020,
Recognizing that new technologies increase the demand for digital skills and
competencies and that, at the same time, developing countries are experiencing higher
numbers of young people entering the labour market and a widening gap between
their knowledge, skills and abilities and those sought by employers, and expressing
concern that the share of women in specialist information and communications
technology occupations remains low, especially in developing countries,
Recognizing also that education, training and capacity-building in science,
technology and innovation can provide new skills and so widen employment
opportunities, while addressing market needs,
Calling upon the international community and all stakeholders to support efforts
by developing countries to provide opportunities for science, technology, engineering
and mathematics education and research for all, including youth and women, and
particularly in the emerging technologies, and to provide suitable working conditions
and opportunities in order to prevent brain drain and ensure human resources
adaptation to technological change, including through upskilling and reskilling
programmes for the workforce,
Recognizing that innovation, such as pro-poor, inclusive, grass-roots and social
innovation that seeks to solve problems, is not always addressed by markets,
Recognizing also the importance of utilizing science, technology and innovation
in a manner relevant to specific national and local situations and needs,
Recognizing further the need for innovative approaches that respond to the needs
of those in vulnerable situations in developing and developed countries, while
protecting personal data from misuse and respecting the ownership of personal data,
that involve them in innovation processes and that embed capacity-building in the
areas of science, technology and innovation as a crucial component of national
development plans, inter alia, through collaboration between the relevant ministries
and regulatory bodies,
Recognizing the importance of data protection and privacy, in particular for
developing countries in the context of science and technology for development,
especially regarding the adoption of new technologies,
Recognizing also that technology foresight and assessment exercises, including
gender-sensitive
and
environmentally
sensitive
technologies,
could
help
policymakers and stakeholders in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda through the
identification of challenges and opportunities that can be addressed strategically, and
that technology trends should be analysed, keeping in view the wider socioeconomic
context,
Taking note of the Technology and Innovation Report 2025: Inclusive Artificial
Intelligence for Development of the United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development, which examines the socioeconomic impacts of artificial intelligence,
analyses policies to support its adoption, adaptation and development in developing
countries and to explore ways to strengthen international cooperation, and recalling
the Digital Economy Report 2024: Shaping an Environmentally Sustainable and
Inclusive Digital Future of the Conference, which examines the environmental
footprint of digitalization,
Recognizing that realizing gender equality and the empowerment of all women
and girls will make a crucial contribution to progress across all of the Sustainable
Development Goals and targets, and recognizing also that there is a need to ensure
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full and equal access to and participation in science, technology and innovation for
women of all ages, as well as to target science, technology and innovation strategies
to address women’s empowerment and inequalities, including the gender digital
divide,
Recalling the political declaration on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of
the Fourth World Conference on Women, adopted at the sixty-ninth session of the
Commission on the Status of Women, 12 which, inter alia, highlighted the need to
manage technological and digital change for women’s economic empowerment,
particularly to strengthen the capacities of developing countries, so as to enable
women to leverage science and technology for entrepreneurship and economic
empowerment in the changing world of work and to support women’s access,
throughout their life cycle, to skills development and decent work in new and
emerging fields by expanding the scope of education and training opportunities in,
inter alia, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, information and
communications technology and digital fluency, and to enhance women’s and, as
appropriate, girls’ participation as users, content creators, employees, entrepreneurs,
innovators and leaders, and underlining the importance of mainstreaming a gender
perspective into the policies and programmes related to innovation and technological
change and to education in the digital age, with the aim of achieving gender equality
and the empowerment of all women and girls,
Expressing concern that, while well-developed innovation and digital
ecosystems play a fundamental role in the effective digital development and
facilitation of science, technology and innovation, many developing countries still
face serious challenges in building or improving their national science, technology
and innovation base and ecosystems, and a lack of digital skills and affordable and
equitable access to information and communications technologies, and that, for the
poor, the promise of science, technology and innovation remains unfulfilled, and that
more efforts have to be deployed to increase the benefits of science, technology and
innovation for all,
Taking note with appreciation of the United Nations Technology Innovation
Labs, in their efforts to facilitate and stimulate innovation for the implementation of
the 2030 Agenda,
Recognizing that science, technology and innovation cooperation and
collaboration with, as well as foreign direct investment in and trade with and among,
developing countries, as well as international support, are fundamental to enhancing
developing countries’ ability to benefit from technological advances and to produce,
nurture, access, comprehend, select, adapt and use science, technology and innovation
knowledge,
Recognizing also the importance of supporting national strategies, policies and
activities of developing countries in the fields of science, technology and innovation
through international cooperation for development, including multilateral, North-
South, South-South and triangular cooperation, while recalling that South-South
cooperation is not a substitute for, but rather a complement to, North-South
cooperation, in the areas of financial and technical assistance, capacity-building and
technology transfer on mutually agreed terms,
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12 Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2025, Supplement No. 7 (E/2025/27),
chap. I, sect. C, resolution 69/1, annex.
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Reaffirming its resolution 73/291 of 15 April 2019, in which it endorsed the
Buenos Aires outcome document of the second High-level United Nations Conference
on South-South Cooperation,13 and renewing the call for its implementation,
Recognizing the need to mobilize and scale up the means of implementation,
including financing, for science, technology and innovation, especially in developing
countries, in support of the Sustainable Development Goals,
Welcoming the increase in official development assistance targeting the
development of science, technology and innovation capacities in developing countries
in the past two decades, however, remaining concerned that official development
assistance for science, technology and innovation capacities directed to the least
developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing States
and African countries has remained at about the same levels for the past decade,
Noting that the success of using technology and innovation policies at the
national level is facilitated by, among other things, creating policy environments that
enable education and research institutions, businesses and industry to innovate, invest
in and transform science, technology and innovation into employment and economic
growth, incorporating all interrelated elements, including knowledge transfer and
financial and technical assistance support,
Recognizing the central role that the Commission on Science and Technology
for Development plays, as the United Nations focal point for science, technology and
innovation for sustainable development, in analysing how science, technology and
innovation, including information and communications technologies, serve as
enablers of the 2030 Agenda by acting as a forum for strategic planning, sharing
lessons learned and best practices, providing foresight about critical trends in science,
technology and innovation in key sectors of the economy, the environment and
society, and drawing attention to emerging and disruptive technologies,
Reaffirming the need to enhance the science, technology and innovation
programmes of the relevant entities of the United Nations system, and in this regard
recalling the mandate of the Technology Facilitation Mechanism on science,
technology and innovation for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals
to promote coordination, coherence and cooperation within the United Nations
system,
Recognizing the need to strengthen the collaboration and exchange between
policymakers and scientific and technological communities,
Welcoming the convening of the first to tenth annual multi-stakeholder forums
on science, technology and innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals, noting
with appreciation the ongoing work of the United Nations inter-agency task team on
science, technology and innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals, including
the Global Pilot Programme on Science, Technology and Innovation for the
Sustainable Development Goals Road Maps (STI for SDGs road maps), and noting
the expanded operationalization of the 2030 Connect online platform, as the three
components of the Technology Facilitation Mechanism, that can help to advance the
2030 Agenda,
Noting the ongoing efforts of the World Intellectual Property Organization to
assist Member States in establishing intellectual property strategies and national
ecosystems that promote innovation and creativity and support the flow of knowledge
and technical expertise, and welcoming the adoption in 2024 of the Treaty on
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13 Resolution 73/291, annex.
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Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge of the
World Intellectual Property Organization and of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty,
Noting also the existing efforts and contributions of the regional commissions
on science, technology and innovation for sustainable development,
Recalling the importance of supporting the African Union’s Agenda 2063, as
well as its 10-year plan of action, as a strategic framework for ensuring a positive
socioeconomic transformation in Africa within the next 50 years, and its continental
programme embedded in the resolutions of the General Assembly on the New
Partnership for Africa’s Development and regional initiatives, and in this context
noting the Declaration of Sharm el-Sheikh, adopted by the African Union in October
2019, which commits to work towards an integrated and inclusive Digital Society and
Economy in Africa that improves the quality of life of Africa’s citizens, as well as the
Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024 of the African Union,
Reiterating the pledge that no one will be left behind, reaffirming the
recognition that the dignity of the human person is fundamental, and the wish to see
the Goals and targets met for all nations and peoples and for all segments of society,
and recommitting to endeavour to reach the furthest behind first,
1.
Welcomes the outcome document of the Fourth International Conference
on Financing for Development, the Sevilla Commitment,14 and calls for its timely and
effective implementation with regard to, inter alia, science, technology and
innovation, as an important action area for sustainable development;
2.
Reaffirms its commitment to continue promoting the use of science,
technology and innovation, including through evidence-based policymaking and
programming, in facilitating efforts to address global challenges, and to accelerate
progress on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, such as efforts
to eradicate poverty, including extreme poverty; achieve food security and nutrition;
increase agricultural productivity; enhance access to affordable, reliable, sustainable
and modern energy for all; fight diseases; improve education; protect the environment
and address climate change; and foster disaster preparedness and strengthen the
effectiveness and efficiency of disaster resilience-building;
3.
Emphasizes that applying science to solve complex global challenges calls
for cross- and trans-disciplinary collaboration and a strong science-policy-society
interface in order to build trust in science and evidence;
4.
Reaffirms its commitment to the actions agreed upon by the least developed
countries and development partners on science, technology and innovation, as
outlined in the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries, 15 and
takes note of the Doha Political Declaration, adopted during the second part of the
Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, held in Doha
from 5 to 9 March 2023,16 as well as the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island
Developing States: A Renewed Declaration for Resilient Prosperity17 and the Awaza
Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade 2024–
2034;18
5.
Notes the central role of Governments, with active contribution from
stakeholders from the private sector, civil society, academia and research institutions,
_______________
14 Resolution 79/323, annex.
15 Resolution 76/258, annex.
16 Report of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, New York,
17 March 2022, and Doha, 5–9 March 2023 (A/CONF.219/2023/3), chap. I, resolution 2.
17 Resolution 78/317, annex.
18 Resolution 79/233, annex; see also resolution 79/279.
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appropriate United Nations entities and relevant international entities and forums, in
creating and supporting an enabling environment at all levels, including enabling
regulatory and governance frameworks, in accordance with national priorities, to
nurture science, innovation, entrepreneurship and the dissemination of knowledge and
technologies that is on mutually agreed terms, particularly to micro-, small and
medium-sized enterprises, as well as industrial diversification and value added to
commodities;
6.
Underscores the need to recognize science, technology and innovation
strategies as a main driver of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 19 and its
Sustainable Development Goals and of national sustainable development plans and
strategies, and encourages clear, specific and measurable goals, based on an
assessment of national priorities and the international science, technology and
innovation agenda, that help to strengthen knowledge-sharing on mutually agreed
terms and collaboration and scale up investment in science, technology, engineering
and mathematics education, and enhance technical, vocational and tertiary education
and training;
7.
Acknowledges the contribution of science, technology and innovation to
industrial development in developing countries and as a critical source of economic
growth, economic diversification and value addition, and therefore calls for policy
and institutional frameworks that foster collaboration and integration between
research and academic institutes and industrial sectors;
8.
Recognizes the importance of addressing the gap in capabilities across and
between countries, sectors and segments of society so that all parts of society,
especially those in vulnerable situations and the poor, can adapt and benefit from
technological changes;
9.
Calls for enhanced partnerships to ensure the provision of means of
implementation to developing countries, including through facilitating access to
science, technology and innovation funds, capacity-building and knowledge-sharing,
ensuring that resources are directed to countries and regions with high needs and
impacts;
10. Further calls to support countries to develop and implement mission-
oriented, country-led national innovation strategies, including Science, Technology
and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals Road Maps road maps and
national road maps for digitalization involving relevant stakeholders to incentivize
productivity, decent job creation at scale and innovation aligned with development
priorities and human rights, and for the provision of support and training and share
best practices on strategic science, technology and innovation governance, regulation
and institutions for science, technology and innovation policy to enhance policy
coherence, and the effective use of data as a product and enabler of science,
technology and innovation, in developing countries, especially countries in special
situations;
11. Recognizes the importance of the creation of a conducive environment that
attracts and supports private investment, entrepreneurship and corporate social
responsibility, including an efficient, adequate, balanced and effective intellectual
property framework, while encouraging access to science, technology and innovation
by developing countries;
12. Also recognizes that coordinated national and international efforts are
needed to leverage scientific and technological advances for sustainable development,
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close digital divides and realize the full potential of digital technology and the use of
data in achieving financial inclusion and financial health;
13. Encourages Member States to strengthen and foster investment in research
and development for environmentally sound technologies and to promote the
involvement of the business and financial sectors in the development of those
technologies, and invites the international community to support those efforts;
14. Encourages all stakeholders, in an effort to prepare for existing and future
opportunities and challenges presented by technological change, including the fourth
industrial revolution, among others, to explore ways and means of conducting
inclusive national, regional and international technology assessment and foresight
exercises on existing, new and emerging technologies as a process to encourage
structured debate among all stakeholders to help to evaluate their development
potential and mitigate possible negative effects and risks;
15. Encourages Member States to strengthen science, technology and
innovation for public health, including by promoting diversified, sustainable,
strengthened local and regional innovation and production capacities of vaccines,
therapeutics, diagnostics and other health products for greater sustainability of supply
chains, equitable and timely access to and distribution of health technologies, and to
support developing countries in building expertise in developing local, national and
regional research, innovation, manufacturing, production and regulatory capacities,
while further enabling the increased use of data and health technologies to digitally
transform health systems;
16. Recognizes the need for all countries, in particular for developing
countries, to build scientific and clinical medical research capacity, including through
partnerships with other countries, international organizations and other relevant
entities;
17. Welcomes the establishment, within the United Nations, of the
multidisciplinary Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence
and of the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance, in accordance with
resolution 79/325, in which their terms of reference and modalities were set out, and
looks forward to progress towards the fulfilment of their mandates;
18. Requests the Technology Facilitation Mechanism and the Commission on
Science and Technology for Development, through the Economic and Social Council,
to continue to consider, in a coordinated manner within their respective mandates and
existing resources, the impact of rapid technological changes and frontier
technologies on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and targets,
and to align this endeavour with the follow-up cycle of the high-level political forum
on sustainable development in order to support the efforts of all countries towards the
attainment of the Goals, including through forging partnerships with other relevant
stakeholders, organizations, initiatives and forums, such as the Partnership in Action
on STI for SDGs Road Maps, initiated by the United Nations inter-agency task team
on science, technology and innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals, and
the dissemination of advances and best practices to facilitate cooperation towards this
end;
19. Welcomes the support by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs
of the Secretariat and the Economic Commission for Africa for the establishment of
the Coalition on Science, Technology and Innovation for Africa’s Development
during the eighth multi-stakeholder forum on science, technology and innovation for
the Sustainable Development Goals to create pathways for African countries to
develop, deploy and expand their use of science, technology and innovation in the
context of the Sustainable Development Goals;
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20. Encourages Member States, individually and collectively, to support
policies that increase financial inclusion, including through promoting access to
affordable and inclusive digital financial services and initiatives to reduce inequalities
for people and businesses, especially micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises in
urban and especially in rural areas, by building digital trust, expanding access to
finance and trade opportunities and enhancing training through the use of innovative
tools, including mobile banking, payment platforms and digitalized payments;
21. Also encourages Member States to promote local innovation capabilities
for inclusive and sustainable economic development by bringing together local
scientific, vocational and engineering knowledge, mobilizing resources from multiple
channels, improving information and communications technology, supporting
infrastructure
development
and
incentivizing
technology
and
knowledge
collaboration among universities, research institutes and the private and public sectors
to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and support the transition from basic to
applied research;
22. Further encourages Member States to promote digital inclusion and
literacy and to consider incorporating digital competencies into the education system,
with a special focus on encouraging girls and enhancing digital skills and
competences development, including through investment in digital qualification,
specialization in digital technologies, digital infrastructure, public policies and
institutional development and multi-stakeholder and international collaboration;
23. Underlines that addressing persistent barriers to equal access for women
and girls to science, technology and innovation, and their meaningful participation in
learning, as well as workforce opportunities for women, requires a systematic,
comprehensive, integrated, sustainable, multidisciplinary and multisectoral approach,
in this regard urges Member States to mainstream a gender perspective in legislation,
policies and programmes, encourages decision makers to create supportive workplace
and educational settings, and also encourages efforts to promote, mentor, attract and
retain women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics
education and research and to support women in leveraging science and technology
for entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in the changing world of work;
24. Emphasizes the importance of the participation of women and girls in
science, technology and innovation, reiterates the commitment to support efforts to
provide opportunities for quality and inclusive science, technology, engineering and
mathematics education and research, and further encourages the United Nations
development system to support efforts to reduce gender disparity in these areas, with
the cooperation of Member States and international collaborative research
organizations;
25. Also emphasizes that efforts to close all digital divides and ensure that no
one is left behind in the digital transformation and digital economy should be
expanded and grounded in digital inclusion, and encourages all relevant stakeholders
to promote equal, equitable and affordable access to digital skills and online services,
including through digital public goods and digital government;
26. Notes the importance of facilitating access to and sharing accessible and
assistive technologies, through the transfer of technology on mutually agreed terms
and other actions, to advance disability-inclusive development, ensure accessibility
for persons with disabilities and promote their empowerment;
27. Also notes the critical role of science, technology and innovation and
medical cooperation in accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease
(COVID‑19) pandemic;
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28. Recognizes the important role of intellectual property regimes, such as the
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), and the
importance of intellectual property rights, in contributing to progress on science,
technology and innovation and the achievement of sustainable development, and will
protect and enforce intellectual property rights in a way that contributes to the
promotion of technological innovation and to the transfer and dissemination of
technology, to the mutual advantage of producers and users of technological
knowledge and in a manner conducive to social and economic welfare, and to a
balance of rights and obligations, and will support least developed countries and
developing countries in using technologies, including through, inter alia, licensing,
capacity-building, relationship facilitation, incentives or conditions linked to research
and development, procurement or other funding and regulatory policy measures,
including for public health emergencies and disaster relief;
29. Encourages efforts to increase the availability of data to support the
measurement of national innovation systems (such as the existing Global Innovation
Index and the frontier technology readiness index of the United Nations Conference
on Trade and Development) and empirical research on innovation and development
to assist policymakers in designing and implementing innovation strategies in order
to measure the impact of digital technologies for sustainable development;
30. Emphasizes the need to effectively harness technology to bridge the digital
divides within countries and between developed and developing countries;
31. Calls for action to be taken to enhance the ability of developing countries
to benefit from science, technology and innovation and address the major structural
impediments to accessing new and emerging technologies, including through scaling
up the use of open science, affordable and open-source technology, research and
development, including through strengthened partnerships, strengthening their
productive capacities and aiming to increase funding for Sustainable Development
Goal-related research and innovation and build capacity in all regions to contribute to
and benefit from this research;
32. Encourages enhanced capacity-building support for developing countries
in order to generate the use of high-quality, timely and reliable disaggregated data,
and also encourages international cooperation, including through technical and
financial support, to strengthen the capacity of national statistical systems;
33. Also encourages existing arrangements and the further promotion of
international, regional, subregional and interregional joint multi-stakeholder research
and development projects, as well as training programmes and university-to-
university collaborations where feasible, by mobilizing scientific and research
development resources, facilities and equipment;
34. Calls upon Member States and the United Nations development system,
and encourages other stakeholders, as appropriate, to continue to initiate, implement
and support measures to improve the level of participation of scientists and engineers
from developing countries in international collaborative research, science, technology
and innovation projects;
35. Also calls upon Member States and the United Nations development
system, and encourages other stakeholders, as appropriate, to continue to strengthen
their support for the different science, technology and innovation partnerships with
developing countries in primary, secondary and higher education, vocational
education and continuing education; business opportunities for the private sector;
science, technology and innovation infrastructure; and science, technology and
innovation advice for developing countries;
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36. Requests the Commission on Science and Technology for Development to
continue to assist the Economic and Social Council as the focal point in the system-
wide follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society and
to continue its science, technology and innovation activities;
37. Encourages the Commission on Science and Technology for Development
to discuss and explore innovative financing models, such as impact investment, as a
means of attracting new stakeholders, innovators and sources of investment capital
for science, technology, engineering and innovation-based solutions, in collaboration
with other organizations, where appropriate;
38. Encourages the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, in
collaboration with relevant partners, such as the World Intellectual Property
Organization, the International Telecommunication Union, the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the United Nations University,
to continue to undertake science, technology and innovation policy reviews, with a
view to assisting developing countries, upon request, in identifying the measures
needed to integrate science, technology and innovation policies into their national
development strategies and ensuring that they are supportive of national development
agendas, as appropriate, and in this regard takes note of the new science, technology
and innovation policy review framework developed by the United Nations Conference
on Trade and Development;
39. Calls for voluntary contributions to support the relevant entities in the
United Nations development system, including the United Nations Conference on
Trade and Development, in their technical cooperation work in support of national
innovation systems in developing countries;
40. Emphasizes the importance of better coordination and coherence among
existing mechanisms, including the Technology Facilitation Mechanism, United
Nations agencies and international organizations in providing support to Member
States in the field of science, technology and innovation directed towards
development priorities and needs;
41. Invites the Commission on Science and Technology for Development and
the Technology Facilitation Mechanism to strengthen synergies and mutually
reinforce their work on science, technology and innovation, and invites the Secretariat
to coordinate the dates of their meetings in order to avoid overlap and to ensure
coherence and coordination between both entities;
42. Continues to encourage the United Nations inter-agency task team on
science, technology and innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals to further
refine and update its mapping of science, technology and innovation activities in the
United Nations system with a view to guiding further efforts at collaboration and
capacity-building and formulating coherent advice for Member States advancing
national science, technology and innovation frameworks within the 2030 Agenda,
including through scaling up the Global Pilot Programme on Science, Technology and
Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals Road Maps;
43. Reiterates its call for voluntary contributions for resources to support the
full operationalization of all components of the Technology Facilitation Mechanism,
and invites Member States, as well as international organizations, foundations and the
private sector, to provide increased voluntary financial contributions and technical
assistance to the Mechanism;
44. Encourages the World Intellectual Property Organization to continue to
undertake technical support activities, including helping countries to design, develop
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and implement national intellectual property and innovation strategies aligned with
their development strategies;
45. Welcomes the operationalization of the Technology Bank for the Least
Developed Countries, and calls upon Member States and other stakeholders to provide
voluntary funding to the trust fund of the Technology Bank so that it can pursue its
objectives in the area of science, technology and innovation for the least developed
countries;
46. Reaffirms support for the Innovation and Technology Mechanism of the
Small Island Developing States Centre of Excellence to provide capacity-building and
learning opportunities, exchange experiences and support innovation in small island
developing States;
47. Notes with deep concern the existing disparities between developed and
developing countries in terms of conditions, possibilities and capacities to produce
new scientific and technological knowledge, and in this regard urges developed
countries to urgently mobilize means of implementation such as technology transfer
on mutually agreed terms, technical assistance, capacity-building and financing
through new, additional and predictable resources in relation to the needs of
developing countries, as appropriate, for the production of new scientific and
technological knowledge, in accordance with developing countries’ national needs,
policies and priorities;
48. Notes with concern that unfair practices could hinder technological
development and innovation worldwide, in particular in developing countries, and
calls upon the international community to foster an open, fair and inclusive
environment for scientific and technological development;
49. Continues to encourage the United Nations system to take an active role
in forging a closer link with national and multilateral science advisory bodies to
optimally leverage science, technology and innovation for the Sustainable
Development Goals, and looks forward to receiving updates and outcomes of the
actions through the report of the Commission on Science and Technology for
Development;
50. Calls upon the United Nations funds and programmes and the specialized
agencies, the international community and international institutions, at the request of
Member States, to support the efforts of the countries of the South to develop and
strengthen their national science, technology and innovation systems through North-
South, regional and international cooperation, including South-South and triangular
cooperation, as well as leverage regional and subregional initiatives as a catalyst to
scale access to science, technology, innovation and knowledge-sharing on mutually
agreed terms;
51. Recognizes the importance of creating synergies, developing expertise and
boosting resources in various regions and institutions, and in this regard takes note of
the Summit on Science, Technology and Innovation of the Group of 77, held in
Havana in September 2023, as an effort to boost cooperation in this field;
52. Reiterates its call for continued collaboration between United Nations
entities and other international organizations, civil society, the private sector and
academic and technical communities in their respective roles and responsibilities in
implementing the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society;
53. Reaffirms the commitment at the very heart of the 2030 Agenda to leave
no one behind and commit to taking more tangible steps to support people in
vulnerable situations and the most vulnerable countries and to reach the furthest
behind first;
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54. Requests the President of the General Assembly to convene, during the
eightieth session of the Assembly, a meeting on science, technology and innovation
for development with a special focus on actions to address the needs of developing
countries in those fields, in conjunction with the multi-stakeholder forum on science,
technology and innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals, and requests the
Secretary-General to consider these discussions in the drafting of his report on the
implementation of the present resolution;
55. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its
eighty-second session a report on the implementation of the present resolution and
recommendations for future follow-up, including lessons learned in integrating
science, technology and innovation policies into national development strategies, as
well as concrete recommendations in supporting the implementation of the 2030
Agenda, and decides to include in the provisional agenda of its eighty-second session,
under the item entitled “Globalization and interdependence”, the sub-item entitled
“Science, technology and innovation for sustainable development”.
64th plenary meeting
15 December 2025
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