Past event:
Science Summit 2024

Global minds together to advance science and innovation

CONCLUSIONS

10 | 27 September 2024, New York City Hybrid event

How Science and Innovation accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals

The Science Summit, held on the margins of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 10-27 September 2024, successfully convened global leaders, scientists, policymakers, and innovators to discuss pressing scientific and technological challenges.

The overarching goal of the summit was to bridge the gap between science and policy, ensuring that cutting-edge scientific insights inform the development and implementation of sustainable, inclusive global policies. The Science Summit fostered collaboration across sectors through dynamic sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. It explored solutions that address global challenges, focusing on sustainability, climate action, and innovation.

A key highlight of the summit was the emphasis on the transformative role of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participants acknowledged that science-based solutions are not just crucial, but they are the beacon of hope in tackling complex global issues, including climate change, biodiversity loss, energy access, and food security. Multiple sessions delved into the critical role that STI can play in creating resilient societies and economies to accelerate progress towards the SDGs. The summit also underscored the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and cross-border partnerships to ensure that scientific advancements are effectively translated into actionable policies.

The South African delegation significantly contributed to the summit’s discussions, showcasing their commitment to advancing STI in pursuit of sustainable development. Representatives from the Department of Science and Innovation, the National Research Foundation, and key research institutions highlighted ongoing efforts to develop innovative solutions in agriculture, healthcare, water management, and climate resilience. South Africa’s participation underscored the importance of African leadership in global science and regional collaboration in addressing shared challenges and emphasised the value of leveraging local expertise to drive global progress.

One of the summit’s most critical discussions focused on funding hydrogen projects in developing countries and the role of critical raw materials, such as lithium and cobalt, in the green energy transition. Participants examined both the opportunities and challenges of shifting towards renewable energy, highlighting the need for careful resource management to ensure a just and equitable transition. These discussions laid the groundwork for further collaboration on sustainable energy solutions, particularly in regions most vulnerable to climate change.

The summit also provided a platform for sharing best practices and strategies for building resilient, sustainable systems. Multiple sessions examined the importance of data-driven decision-making and technology integration in addressing public health, water security, and environmental protection. Artificial intelligence (AI), remote sensing, and other emerging technologies were highlighted to improve resource management and foster more efficient, sustainable development practices.

The Science Summit successfully promoted dialogue and collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and innovators. The event reinforced the importance of STI in addressing global challenges and shaping a sustainable future. Moving forward, the ideas and partnerships fostered at the summit will be critical in driving meaningful progress toward achieving the SDGs. The commitment of all participants to work together in pursuit of a more equitable, sustainable world serves as a strong foundation for implementing actionable strategies that will benefit both people and the planet.

 

Science Summit Features

Discover everything our annual event has to offer
Youth Engagement

Presentation of programs that empower young people through education, mentorship, and leadership training.

Highlight opportunities for youth to engage in entrepreneurship and governance, ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making processes

Science Philanthropy

Establish partnerships between private sector funders and scientific research institutions.

Presentation of grants and resources for innovative projects, and promote public-private collaborations to accelerate scientific discoveries and technological advancements

African Science Leadership Coalition

Place African researchers at the forefront of defining the post-SDGs agenda.

Foster regional and international scientific collaboration with Africa by establishing networks and partnerships that address both local and global challenges.

Good Health, One Health

One Health Plenary to present interdisciplinary programs, policies, and projects that integrate human, animal, and environmental health initiatives.

Promote research and education on holistic health approaches, and address issues like sanitation, personalised medicines, waterborne diseases, and climate impacts

Indigenous Knowledge

The Science Summit presents initiatives that recognize and integrate indigenous knowledge systems into mainstream practices.

These initiatives support the documentation and preservation of traditional knowledge while promoting its application in areas such as agriculture, conservation, and climate resilience.

Innovation & Infrastructure

How investing in the development of resilient infrastructure, supports research and innovation projects.

Industry investments in these infrastructures facilitate collaborative research initiatives that effectively address global challenges, integrating innovative technologies to promote sustainable practices worldwide.

Reduced Inequalities

Presentation of developing policies and programs that address social, economic, and political disparities.

The objective is to promote equal access to resources, education, and employment opportunities, and support initiatives that uplift marginalized communities

Inclusive Society and Institutions

Presentation of strategies to strengthen institutions for greater inclusivity, transparency, and accountability.

Discussion on developing policies that foster social inclusion and implementing programs to ensure equitable representation and participation across all societal groups. 

Digital Technologies

Round tables on how to enhance digital infrastructure and promote the adoption of digital technologies across sectors.

Practical cases on digital literacy programs, cybersecurity initiatives, and efforts to bridge the digital divide, ensuring equitable access to digital resources and opportunities

Agenda

September 10 - 27, 2024

Week 1

Online Sessions Only

Dive into a week of virtual exploration, where online sessions offer unparalleled access to cutting-edge research, groundbreaking discoveries, and thought-provoking discussions.

Join us for virtual sessions on AI for Science, Women and Peace in the Arab World, Data Traceability of the SDGs, Mental Health, the Role of Youth in the Post-SDGs Agenda, Science Diplomacy, NASA GLOBE International STEM Network, Food Security, Climate Crisis, Space Innovations contributing to the SDGs, Soil Health, Oceans Governance, Microbiome, Small Island Challenges, Clean Energy, and more.

All sessions will be live-streamed, with recordings available afterward.

Week 2

UN High-level Week – Hybrid Sessions

As the world converges in New York for the UN High-level week, join us for hybrid sessions that bridge the gap between online and in-person engagement.

Coinciding with the Summit of the Future on September 22nd and 23rd, 2024, these sessions promise to ignite new ideas and collaborations.

Highlights include plenary sessions by the European Brain Council, the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative, and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research of India.

Engage in sessions on Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Health Innovations in Sub-Saharan Africa, STEM education, and Women and Healthy Aging.

Week 3

UN High-level Debate Week – Hybrid Sessions

Embark on a journey of discovery during the final week of the Summit.

Featuring key events such as the Africa Science Leadership Coalition Plenary on September 23rd, the One Health Plenary on September 25th, and AI for Health on September 26th.

Get a preview of COP16 (Combat Desertification) and a presentation of the 5-year Flagship Programme by AGFUND. Join sessions on pandemic preparedness, genomics for Africa, and more.

Don’t miss the Science Parliament and the Young Programme.

All sessions will be live-streamed and broadcasted on social media platforms, ensuring global accessibility.

Session Formats

Presentations

Engage with thought-provoking presentations delivered by leading experts in their respective fields.

Round tables

Participate in interactive discussions and collaborative problem-solving sessions.

Breakfast discussions

Start your day with stimulating conversations over a virtual breakfast, exploring emerging trends and opportunities.

Networking lunches

Connect with peers and forge new partnerships over virtual networking lunches, fostering meaningful relationships.

Fireside chats

Join intimate conversations with trailblazers and visionaries, gaining insights into their experiences and perspectives.

Summit Plenaries

Meet the top leaders on key issues such as One Health, Biodiversity, Genomics, AI, Data, Capacity Building, etc.

Get Involved

Session proposals submission for the Science Summit 2025

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Highlighted Speakers

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Science Summit Plenaries

One Health

Financing Development

Capacity Building

Climate Change

Food Systems

Genomics

Artificial intelligence

Pandemic Preparedness

Science Policy and Regulation

Sponsors & Partners

Frequently Asked questions

The Science Summit is a global event that brings together researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss how science can contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This is the 10th edition of the Science Summit which started in 2015 at the European Parliament in Brussels.

The Science Summit is a hybrid event taking place from the 10th to the 27 of September 2024.

The Science Summit is a hybrid event with a Virtual Programme running from 10th to 27th and a physical programme running from 17th to 27th in New York which will also be streamed live.

The Science Summit main venue is at Cure, a healthcare innovation campus in the heart of New York City, located at 345 Park Avenue South, between 25th and 26th Streets

Science Summit is an inclusive event and registration is free of charge. But you need to register.

These are the different options to attend:

Only virtual participation.  Register to both: the Virtual programme and the New York Programme that will also be broadcasted

Attending in-person in New York: register for the New York Programme only.

There is no registration fee.

The Science Summit 2024 is an inclusive event, ensuring everyone has equal opportunities to participate.

Our goal is to promote global collaboration in science and innovation.

Yes, the Science Summit event will include various networking activities in New York. Please check the Agenda.

Additionally, the virtual platform offers opportunities for online participants to network with speakers and other event attendees.

Technical support will be available online throughout the event.

For technical assistance, kindly contact: support@vfairs.com

Questions regarding your registration, please contact: support@sciencesummitnyc.org

Your data will be used to facilitate your participation at the Science Summit event, including communication about event updates, session schedules, and networking opportunities.

It may also be used for event analytics to improve future events.

Please check further details in our Private Policy.