Science, technology, and innovation (STI) are increasingly recognised as key drivers of sustainable development. In the lead-up to the 2025 STI Forum and the 4th United Nations Financing for Development Conference (FfD4), this event will explore strategies to scale up STI financing and strengthen STI ecosystems to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It will convene a diverse range of global stakeholders to exchange practical experiences, showcase innovative funding models, and share policy insights that support inclusive and effective STI investments.
The event will spotlight key initiatives such as the STI for SDGs in Africa project and the development of the Second Guidebook on STI Roadmaps. It aims to foster cross-sector collaboration and align STI financing with broader development priorities. In addition, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) will present early findings from its ongoing study on the STI financing landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa, offering insights into investor profiles, funding flows, financing mechanisms, and their alignment with sustainability objectives.
Expected Event Outcomes:
- Increased Commitments to STI Financing: Greater awareness and mobilisation of resources, with stakeholder commitments to support the implementation of STI Roadmaps.
- New Innovative Financing Mechanisms: Recommendations on voluntary funding models, blended finance, and international cooperation frameworks to strengthen STI4SDGs financing.
- Improved Guidebook on STI for SDGs Roadmaps: Incorporation of new insights, case studies, and financing approaches into the Second Guidebook to enhance its practical value.
Special Note: All participants must register by 17 June using the registration button in order to access the JRC premises. Please note that only registered participants will be granted access—the UN Financing for Development Conference (FfD4) conference badge alone will not suffice.
On the day of the event, please arrive at least 30 minutes early to complete registration at the JRC welcome desk. A valid ID or passport will be required for entry.
Book your seat, 1 week left to register, registration will end on Tuesday 17 June 2025, 23:59 (CEST)
- sustainable development | international affairs | the EU's international role
- Tuesday 1 July 2025, 10:30 - 13:00 (CEST)
- Seville, Spain
Programme
- 1 Jul 2025, 10:30 - 10:40 (CEST)Welcome and Opening
Moderator: Liliana Pasecinic, Deputy Head of Unit for Member States Partnerships and International Relations, JRC – European Commission
Welcome from high-level institutional representatives
- 10:40 - 10:50 (CEST)Framing the event in the context of FfD4, Pact for the Future, global STI efforts, and overview on the ‘Second STI for SDGs roadmaps Guidebook’
- 10:50 - 11:35 (CEST)High-level panel - Aligning Finance, Innovation, and Policy to Accelerate the SDGs
- 11:35 - 11:50 (CEST)Coffee break
- 11:50 - 12:50 (CEST)Learning from Practice: Future Perspectives on Financing STI for the SDGs
- 12:50 - 13:00 (CEST)Closing Reflections and Way Forward
Practical information
- When
- Tuesday 1 July 2025, 10:30 - 13:00 (CEST)
- Where
- EU's Joint Research CentreCalle Inca Garcilaso, 3, 41092 Seville Sevilla, Spain
- Languages
- English
Description
The 2023 SDG Summit and the Pact for the Future underscored the urgent need to bridge global divides in science, technology, and innovation (STI) and to ensure these tools are accessible and affordable for all. In response, the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Team (IATT) on STI for SDGs—co-led by UN DESA, UNESCO, and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC)—has developed key resources such as the Guidebook for the Preparation of STI for SDGs Roadmaps and the Global Pilot Programme. These initiatives provide practical frameworks for national STI strategies and capacity-building.
An important illustration of this work is the European Commission’s STI for SDGs in Africa project, implemented through the JRC and DG INTPA. Concluded in October 2024, the project supported five African countries—The Gambia, Mauritius, Namibia, Rwanda, and Seychelles—in co-developing STI roadmaps tailored to national priorities such as energy, health, food systems, and climate resilience. The project operationalised the IATT Guidebook and prompted deeper reflection on how to secure and effectively utilise financial resources for implementation. The JRC is also conducting a study on the STI financing landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa, examining investor profiles, funding flows, and alignment with sustainability goals.
Complementing these efforts, the International Science Council (ISC)’s Science Missions for Sustainability offer a model for transdisciplinary collaboration and innovative funding. Building on the outcomes of a 2024 workshop in Addis Ababa, which brought together stakeholders from 15 African countries and global partners, the IATT technical working group is now finalising a Second Guidebook on STI Roadmaps. A key chapter focuses on STI financing, offering actionable guidance on resource mobilisation, funding strategies, and capacity-building to support national implementation.