Science Africa Leadership on Financing for Development

Objectives

1. Highlight the role of science in sustainable development: Showcase how scientific research and innovation contribute to solving development challenges, such as climate change, global health, food security, and digital transformation.

2. Promote science-informed policy-making: Encourage the integration of scientific evidence into development finance policies and strategies, particularly for issues that intersect with health, AI, and agriculture.

3. Foster collaborations and partnerships: Facilitate connections between scientists, policymakers, private sector representatives, and civil society to promote science-driven solutions for development.

4. Mobilize resources for science and innovation: Advocate for increased funding and investment in scientific research, especially in fields that are critical to achieving the SDGs.

Key Themes

Financing large-scale infrastructures as they are key to sustainable capacity building. Integrating urban mobility projects while requiring sustainable strategies to minimize carbon emissions through energy-efficient technologies and green practices.

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development: Examining the potential of AI to transform sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and infrastructure while addressing ethical and regulatory considerations.

Science and Technology for Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture: Promoting scientific solutions to enhance food production, improve agricultural resilience, and reduce environmental impacts.

Innovation in Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability: Demonstrating how scientific research drives progress in climate adaptation, renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, and environmental monitoring.

The Future of Science in Financing for Development: Advocating for integrating science within development finance frameworks and discussing strategies to mobilise funds for scientific research.

Expected Outcomes

• Strengthened recognition of the role of science in achieving sustainable development.
• Recommendations for integrating scientific innovation into development financing frameworks.
• Commitments from stakeholders to increase investment in scientific research and innovation.
• Establishment of new partnerships and networks between the science, policy, and finance communities.

Session 1 –  Strengthening Scientific Capacity through Regulation: The Role of SACNASP in Financing Development

(9h00 – 9h45)

As the national regulatory body for natural science professions in South Africa, the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) plays a critical role in shaping a trusted, competent, and development-oriented scientific workforce. This session at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) will examine how professional regulation, ethical standards, and credentialing frameworks contribute to the development of science systems that are responsive to national priorities and global development goals. Emphasis will be placed on SACNASP’s strategic role in advancing human capital, ensuring science integrity, and unlocking investment in research and innovation ecosystems, particularly across Africa. The session will also identify actionable pathways for integrating science regulation into broader financing mechanisms for sustainable development.

• Declan Kirrane ISC Session Co-Chair
• Tobi Mzobe, South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) Session Co-Chair
• Nompumelelo Obokoh, South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP)
• Sylvain Ouedraogo, CILSS, Burkina Faso
• Domingos Barbosa Chair, High Performance Computing, University of Evora, Portugal
• Zisis Kozlakidis, The International Agency for Research on Cancer, WHO, France
• Nishka Sharma, Science Summit at UNGA80 Youth Parliament
• Scott Cunningham SD Guild

Session 2 – Investing in Health Research Capacity for Sustainable Development

(09h45 – 11h00)

Robust medical and health research systems are foundational to achieving universal health coverage, pandemic preparedness, and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Yet, in many regions—particularly in the Global South—these systems remain underfunded and fragmented. This session at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) will examine strategies to strengthen national and regional health research capacity through targeted investments, institutional partnerships, and inclusive financing mechanisms. Drawing on experiences from public health institutions, research councils, and development finance actors, the discussion will highlight scalable models for workforce development, research infrastructure, and regulatory support. The session aims to position health research not as a cost, but as a high-yield investment in resilient, equitable, and evidence-driven development.

• Declan Kirrane, ISC Session C0-Chair
• Rizwana Mia, Medical Research Council, South Africa (SAMRC) ISC Session C0-Chair
• Ntobek0 Ntusi, CEO and President, Medical Research Council, South Africa
• Kurt Zatloukal Medical University Graz
• Suzanne Dumouchel OPERAS
• Rita Lawlor, University of Verona, Italy
• Zisis Kozlakidis, The International Agency for Research on Cancer, WHO, France
• Brian O’Connor ECH Alliance
• Q&A

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