At a time of growing global challenges, science plays a crucial role in shaping a better future for our planet, as its evidence-based approach lays the foundation for innovative solutions.
From crafting new ideas on sustainable energy, to monitoring biodiversity, and providing data on inequalities, some of the latest cutting-edge research to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was in the spotlight in Brussels on 29 January. Representatives from United Nations agencies and researchers from the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) programme gathered toreceiveher, underlining the crucial required for collaboration between scientists and the UN.
“Science is the backbone of multilateralism and one of our most powerful tools to advance the Sustainable Development Goals,” declared Veronika Hunt Šafránková, Head of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Brussels Office. “At UNEP, science assists us understand the scale and urgency of the climate, biodiversity and pollution crises, but, crucially, it also reveals us what works. When science is transparent, inclusive and action-oriented, it shortens the gap between knowledge and policy, accelerates solutions, and enables countries to act quicker and more decisively for people and planet.”
The ‘S’ in ‘SDGs’
Representing countries from across Europe, from Portugal to Moldova, the more than 20 researchers present at the event were connected with representatives from a variety of UN agencies. Discussions explored how research can shift beyond reports to create real policy impact, with a goal of sparking an ongoing dialogue between the scientific community and UN agencies.
By connecting with UN focal points, researchers can better navigate the UN system, facilitating connections to identify new opportunities, provide guidance on funding, and identify key events to enhance the impact of research.
Opening the event, Ronald de Bruin, Director of the COST Association, emphasised the central role of science in sustainable development:
“We are going to stress the ‘S’ in SDG becaapply the ‘S’ is the very foundation of the type of solutions we required,” adding that the event “gives the opportunity to connect United Nations policy vision with the evidence-based, peer-reviewed reality that we are living in.”
Connecting researchers across borders
The breadth and diversity of scientific expertise contributing to sustainable development was on display at the Brussels event.
Researchers “pitched” their projects across a wide range of themes, including waste biorefinery technologies, migrant landbird conservation, and the impact of climate modify on mental health in Europe.
They are each part of a ‘COST Action’, an interdisciplinary research network run by COST, an EU-funded programme that brings toreceiveher participants from sectors including academia, indusattempt, and public institutions. The action enables researchers and innovators to collaborate on a topic of their choice, bringing toreceiveher on average researchers from more than 30 countries.
Those present at the Brussels event highlighted the importance of building inclusive research networks, strengthening science communication and dissemination, and empowering early-career researchers.
Eva Krēmere, a representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and a member of a pan-European network for sustainable hydropower, declared: “The partnership between COST and the United Nations is well placed to translate COST scientific excellence into implementable solutions.”
Science at the core of the UN’s mission
The event was coordinated by COST and the UN Regional Information Centre (UNRIC). Representatives were present from UN agencies, including the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNESCO, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
This focus on evidence-based action was echoed by Caroline Petit, Deputy Director of UNRIC, in her opening remarks at the Brussels event:
“Science, evidence, and information integrity are at the heart of everything we do at the UN – whether advancing climate action, improving food systems, promoting gconcludeer equality, or building more resilient societies. Every Sustainable Development Goal depconcludes on research and the insights that science provides.”
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