CSIR Hosts Conclave on Strengthening South-South Cooperation for Sustainable Development

New Delhi: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in collaboration with APCTT-UN ESCAP and WAITRO, hosted a virtual Conclave on Policy Deliberations for Strengthening South-South Cooperation. This initiative, held on September 11, 2024, aimed to foster dialogue on building stronger partnerships among Southern nations to advance scientific research, innovation, and sustainable development. The event was coordinated by CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) and CSIR-International S&T Affairs Directorate (CSIR-ISTAD).

The Conclave gathered eminent scholars and senior experts from leading global institutions, including APCTT, WAITRO, ISTIC-UNESCO, and the UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries, among others. The discussions centered on how South-South cooperation could promote responsible governance, science, and innovation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 17 (Partnerships for SDGs).

In her inaugural address, Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director of CSIR-NIScPR, stressed the importance of exploring new models for responsible research and innovation. She highlighted the significance of open science, resource access, and gender equity in science and innovation. Prof. Aggarwal also announced that the outcome of this Conclave would be presented at the Science Summit at the 79th UN General Assembly, during the CSIR Science Session on “Strengthening South-South Cooperation for Achieving SDGs”.

Dr. Rama Bansal, Head of CSIR-ISTAD, underscored CSIR’s commitment to strengthening India’s scientific and technological capacities. Dr. Preeti Soni, Head of APCTT-UN ESCAP, and Theresia Ningsi Astuti, Regional Representative for WAITRO and the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia, highlighted their respective organizations’ roles in enhancing scientific capacity and supporting South countries in achieving the SDGs.

The Conclave featured three technical sessions:

1. Session 1: Responsible Governance for Research and Innovation, chaired by Prof. Mammo Muchie from Tshwane University of Technology, focused on building an open science framework that bridges the North-South divide and promotes responsible governance in scientific research.
2. Session 2: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Science, chaired by Prof. Rohini Godbole from the Indian Institute of Science, emphasized the importance of gender equality in STEM fields and highlighted policies promoting diversity in science, particularly for women in rural areas.
3. Session 3: Funding Mechanisms and Capacity-Building for R&D Cooperation, chaired by Prof. Nagesh Kumar, explored various funding mechanisms to support science and technology initiatives aligned with the SDGs. The session highlighted successful interventions in South countries facilitated by organizations like APCTT and CSIR.