At 10:00 p.m. Beijing time on May 5, 2022, the 7th Annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs opened at the UN Headquarters in New York. President of the 76th UNGA Abdulla Shahid, President of ECOSOC Collen Vixen Kelapile and UN Under-Secretary-General Liu Zhenmin (on behalf of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres) delivered opening speeches. Ministers and deputy ministers for science and technology, President/Prime Minister’s S&T advisors and senior representatives from more than 30 countries attended the Forum‘s Ministerial Session.  

Chinese Minister of science and technology Wang Zhigang attended the Forum virtually and delivered a speech during the Ministerial Session. Minister Wang said that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the advance of science, technology and innovation, stays committed to the innovation-driven development strategy, actively integrates into the global innovation network, and gives priority to the accelerated implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as part of its efforts to achieve global sustainable development.

 

Minister Wang pointed out that China has made successful explorations in leveraging the role of science, technology and innovation in the delivery of the SDGs, promoting the development of national innovation demonstration zones, and harnessing the power of science, technology and innovation in building resilience, promoting low-carbon economic development and advancing South-South cooperation.

 

Minister Wang stressed that going forward, China will continue to deepen cooperation with the UN and other UN member states under the Global Development Initiative and other frameworks, to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind through concrete actions.

Held from May 5 to 6, the 7th Annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs features the theme of “science, technology and innovation for building back better from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, and focuses on the promotion of Goal 4 (quality education), Goal 5 (gender equality), Goal 14 (life below water), Goal 15 (life on land) and Goal 17 (partnerships for the goals) through science, technology and innovation.