Building Bridges to deliver results: UN Technology Bank's Engagement with Stakeholders at the United Nations, New York

Throughout the STI week in New York, the UN Technology Bank engaged with different key partners, including UN system entities, LDC representatives in New York and development partners.

Key meetings included His Excellency Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly, Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Mr. Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet of the UN Secretary-General, to strengthen partnership in leveraging technology to deliver the SDGs. The meeting with USG Rabab Fatima, who also serves as the UN Secretary-General’s representative in the Council of the UN Technology Bank, was significant in sharing a vision and perspectives for the next phase of growth and development of the organization, with unanimous acknowledgment of innovation's pivotal role in accelerating progress as the deadline for the 2030 Agenda draws closer.

The UN Technology Bank Managing Director, Mr. Deodat Maharaj, also convened with representatives from numerous Member States, including Austria, Belgium, Cabo Verde, China, Eritrea, Finland, Gambia, Lao PDR, Malawi, Nepal, Qatar, Turkiye, the European Union, and the African Union. These discussions reinforced a collective commitment to supporting LDCs and advancing the mission of the Technology Bank. There was a strong consensus on the need for intensified knowledge sharing, enhanced technology access, and collaborative innovation to achieve sustainable development and peace.

Engagements with UN-DESA’s USG Li, the Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology, UNCDF’s Executive Secretary, and the Director of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation, among others, underscored the importance of collaborative efforts. These discussions focused on achieving tangible outcomes in LDCs through enhanced cooperation and innovation.

MD Deodat Maharaj meets USG Rabab Fatima

These recent engagements in New York provided a vital platform for the UN Technology Bank to understand the priorities of member states and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), as well as to discuss the new Strategic Plan. The discussions were pivotal in shaping the future direction of the UN Tech Bank, focusing on three main areas: agritech, digitalization, and green transition. These areas were identified based on Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs) and are aimed at creating employment, supporting growth, and generating business opportunities for youth.

By leveraging expertise from both the Global North and South, the UN Tech Bank aspires to become a pivotal knowledge hub. The emphasis is on using simple, high-impact technologies to drive significant improvements in LDCs.

Our participation in the STI Forum 2024 and the series of engagements in New York reaffirmed the importance of a shared agenda to harness the power of science, technology, and innovation. These efforts are essential for driving positive change and creating a more sustainable and resilient future for all.

Stay tuned for more updates on the UN Technology Bank's initiatives and engagements as we continue to shape a better world through technology and innovation.