United Nations

Educational, Scientific and

Cultural Organization
Sustainable
Development
Goals The Future of
SCIENTIFIC ADVICE TO THE UNITED NATIONS

A Summary Report to the Secretary-General

of the United Nations from the
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
September 2016
 The Future of
SCIENTIFIC ADVICE TO
THE UNITED NATIONS

A Summary Report to the Secretary-General of the United Nations from the

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD

September 2016
Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) Secretariat
UNESCO: Flavia Schlegel (Secretary), Salvatore Aricò (Coordinator), Isabelle Brugnon, Natasha Lazic, Ana Persic, Léo Trembley,
Romeo Beccherelli (supported by the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche – CNR), Fera Fizani (supported by the Malaysian
Industry-Government Group for High Technology – MIGHT), Anna Zvereva (supported by the Russian Federation)

Drafting team
Susan Avery, Maria Ivanova and Robert L. Turner
Supported by the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston

Cover photo
UN Photo/Albert González Farran: Helping a disabled child to solve a math problem

Editorial Design
Jeddi Ltd.

Meetings of the Board were funded by

The governments of Germany, Italy, Malaysia and the Russian Federation

And organized in collaboration with

TWAS, ICTP, ICGEB, IAP and MIGHT

Published in 2016 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,
7, place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP, France

© UNESCO 2016

ISBN 978-92-3-100168-0

This publication is available in Open Access under the Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO (CC-BY-SA 3.0 IGO) license
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The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this publication do not imply the expression of
any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its
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The ideas and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors; they are not necessarily those of UNESCO and
do not commit the Organization.

Printed by
UNESCO
Message from Scientific Advisory Board Chairperson Irina Bokova

The world is facing an array of new challenges that call for tackle the challenges of climate change and adapt to its
new ways of thinking to craft effective solutions that are to the consequences, to forge a renewed action agenda on disaster
benefit of all. In a world of increasing limits, we must nurture risk reduction, to craft a strategy for finance mobilization in
our greatest renewable energy – this is ingenuity and creativity. support of sustainable development – all of this to take forward
This is the importance of the sciences, which hold keys to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
answering many of the questions facing countries across
the world today – questions about food security and water This Report provides an analysis of priority issues and suggests
management, questions about ocean sustainability, questions recommendations on how to tackle them, with science at the
about eradicating poverty, bolstering health, and forging heart of our action agenda. I believe that this is a powerful
new paths to inclusive, sustainable development. This is why resource for the Secretary-General and the UN System as a
the sciences are vital to leading forward the 2030 Agenda for whole, for stronger action at every level, from local to global.
Sustainable Development.
I am deeply grateful to the Governments of Germany, Italy,
In this spirit, I was honoured to have been entrusted by the Malaysia and the Russian Federation, along with all partner
Secretary-General with the task to chair the Scientific Advisory institutions, for their support to the meetings of the Board.
Board. The distinguished members of the Scientific Advisory I wish to acknowledge also the contributions of observers
Board have worked tirelessly to explore and promote the from the UN and other international organizations that have
centrality of science to the 2030 Agenda. Board members have enriched the work of the Board. In closing, I wish to commend
pointed to inequalities which science can help to balance. They the distinguished members of the Board for sharing their
have emphasized the moral obligation to use science for the visions, experience and committment. Our thoughts go to the
good, and highlighted the importance of the nexus between family and friends of Ahmed Zewail, who left us recently. He led
science and policy-making and the interdependence of the key efforts to promote the contribution of science not only to
different disciplines and bodies of evidence. the continuous quest of knowledge but also to building bridges
between poor and rich countries. May this report be dedicated
The Scientific Advisory Board has provided advice to the to his memory and his commitment to science.
Secretary-General in a timely, salient, and policy-relevant
manner. Its work has coincided with ground-breaking times,
when governments across the world are striving, with civil
society, with private business, with the academic world, to

Irina Bokova,
Chairperson of the Scientific Advisory Board

3
 Scientific Advisory Board
Members

Tanya Abrahamse Susan Avery Sir Hilary McDonald Beckles Ke Gong Jörg Hinrich Hacker Maria Ivanova Hayat Sindi Wole Boboyelo Laurence Tubiana

Joji Cariño Rosie Cooney Abdallah S Daar Eugenia Kalnay Eva Kondorosi Reiko Kuroda Judi W. Wakhungu Ada E. Yonath Zakri Abdul Hamid

Gebisa Ejeta Valdimir Fortov Fabiola Gianotti Dong-Pil Min Carlos Nobre Shankar Sastry Ahmed Zewail †

Rajendra Pachauri
(until November 2015)

Chairperson

Irina Bokova

4
CONTENTS
Message: Scientific Advisory Board Chairperson Irina Bokova...................................................................................................................................................................3

Scientific Advisory Board: Members & Chairperson.........................................................................................................................................................................4

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................8

SCIENCE: The foundation ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................11

Recommendations ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................13

DATA: The revolution........................................................................................................................................................................................................................15

Recommendations ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................16

SCIENCE-POLICY-SOCIETY INTERFACE: The road to sustainability ...............................................................................................................................17

Recommendations ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................20

REDUCING INEQUALITIES: A global imperative................................................................................................................................................................22

Recommendations ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................23

THE DELPHI STUDY: Identifying grand challenges .........................................................................................................................................................................24

Recommendations ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................24

THE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD: Moving forward ...........................................................................................................................................................27

Recommendations ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................28

CONCLUSION ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................31

5
 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

H
umanity faces many challenges. Some
are our own creations. Many require
an international response. All must be
met with policies that are clear, agreed-upon,
SCIENCE: DATA: and powerful. This is the reason that science
The foundation The revolution is an essential component – in many cases the
bedrock – of an effective strategy for policy and
decision-making. Science makes policy out of
brick, not straw.

The United Nations (UN) Scientific Advisory

Board considers science central to decision-
SCIENCE–POLICY–SOCIETY making for sustainable development. This
THE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY INTERFACE: report is grounded in that view. It summarizes
BOARD: The road to sustainability the Board’s work in specific areas, including the
Moving forward role of science; the data revolution; the interface
of science, policy, and society; and efforts to
reduce inequalities. It outlines the Delphi
study identifying grand challenges. The report
REDUCING contains recommendations that could be taken
THE DELPHI STUDY: INEQUALITIES: up by the UN Secretary-General, by individual
Identifying grand A global imperative governments, by scientists, and by other
challenges stakeholders. It also features recommendations
for the effective operation and future role of the
UN Scientific Advisory Board itself.

6
 Major findings and recommendations of the Board include

1. Science is a public good, and deserves to 6. To ensure a continuing flow of creative

be valued more highly, employed more scientists, countries should strongly
widely, and used effectively by decision- promote education in science, technology,
makers at all levels. engineering, and mathematics for all
children beginning at an early age.
2. Science can be a game-changer in dealing
with even the most pressing global 7. Scientists, policy-makers, and society at
challenges if it is used to its full potential large need to understand each other’s
at all three crucial phases: understanding perspectives; they by nature operate
the problems, formulating policies, from different priorities and are subject
and assuring that those policies are to different forms of accountability. They
implemented effectively. should therefore jointly contribute to an
enhanced science-policy-society interface.
3. Science should be integral – not an add-on
– to all policy discussions. It should play 8. Science can help narrow economic and
a key role in the achievement of the 17 opportunity gaps. Bringing together
Sustainable Development Goals adopted science with indigenous and local
by all UN member states in 2015. knowledge will be critical for providing the
most appropriate solutions for sustainable
4. The burgeoning flow of scientific data – the development, particularly when it
data revolution – has great potential for comes to implementing the Sustainable
good, if its availability, management, use, Development Goals at the local level.
and growth are handled effectively.
9. Science has value beyond issues that are
5. Basic research is the foundation for essentially “scientific.” When tensions arise
innovation; applied research creates among nations, their leaders can respond
products and technologies. All nations far better if they understand and agree
should embrace them both. Developing upon the scientific evidence for the root
countries will increase their prospects causes of those tensions.
for sustainable development if they fund
research at a minimum of one percent of 10. In addressing the world’s grand challenges,
GDP. More advanced nations should invest the United Nations should promote greater
three percent or more. global collaboration, encourage the use
of international science networks, and
provide avenues for science to inform and
implement policies.

7
 INTRODUCTION
Science is vital to
I
n the opening ceremony launching the operate at such a high level of international
UN Scientific Advisory Board in January governance, and with a mandate to provide

advance sustainable 2014, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

stressed the importance of science “to advance
advice on a broad array of the most pressing
challenges for the planet and its people in the

development, sustainable development, reduce inequality

and eradicate extreme poverty.”
era of the Anthropocene, when humanity has
become a planetary force.

reduce inequality Created on the recommendation of the UN The High-Level Panel’s report urged that

and eradicate
High-level Panel on Global Sustainability in its “Governments and the scientific community
2012 report Resilient People, Resilient Planet: A should take practical steps, including through

extreme poverty.
future worth choosing, the UN Scientific Advisory the launching of a major global scientific
Board is unique. It is the only science board to initiative, to strengthen the interface between
policy and science.” To that end, the report
said “the Secretary-General should consider
DUK-photothek

naming a chief scientific advisor or establishing

a scientific advisory board with diverse
knowledge and experience to advise him or
her and other organs of the United Nations.”
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in September
2013 established the Scientific Advisory Board
(the Board) by appointing its 26 members
(13 women and 13 men) from a broad range of
fields and disciplines. Much of the work of this
diverse Board has indeed been pioneering, as
anticipated by the process that created it.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and

the UN Scientific Advisory Board at the
Opening Ceremony in Berlin, Germany,
30–31 January 2014

8
From its inception, the Board had The Board has met five times, most
the following mandate: recently in May 2016, in Trieste, Italy. Report of the Inaugural meeting
30-31 January 2014, Berlin, Germany

The central function of the Board will be to The Board has produced twelve policy briefs and On 30 and 31 January 2014, the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the UN Secretary-
General held its Inaugural meeting in Berlin, upon invitation of the German Government.
REPORT OF THE THIRD MEETING
OF THE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD

other papers, focusing on issues ranging from

The public opening ceremony at the Federal Foreign Office was addressed by Frank-Walter
OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

provide advice on science, technology and

Steinmeier, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the
United Nations and Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO. In four subsequent internal
working sessions, chaired by the Director-General of UNESCO, the members of the SAB
OF THE UNITED NATIONS
defined the elements of their future work programme.

innovation (STI) for sustainable development the data revolution and the role of science in
I. Opening Ceremony 25–26 May 2015
The opening ceremony was attended by more than 500 persons, eminent German and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
international policy-makers, scientists and the media, including ambassadors, more than two

achieving sustainable development goals to the

hundred university rectors and directors of non-university research institutes, as well as
Presidents and Secretaries-General of German national scientific institutions. The moderator

to the UN Secretary-General and to executive

of the ceremony was the well-known German TV science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar.
REPORT
Musical interludes were contributed by the World Orchestra for Peace.
on the
SECOND
In his welcome address,MEETING OF THE SCIENTIFIC
Minister Steinmeier underlinedADVISORY BOARD
the key added value of the UN: “The

ambitious Delphi study which seeks to identify

United Nations provide their services when nation-states are reaching their limits. They help

heads of UN organizations. The Board will bring

where others have long given up. They get involved where there are no more easy
solutions.” He went on to promise10-11
that December 2014
Germany’s “commitment at and to the United Nations
is and remains at the core ofUNESCO
GermanHeadquarters,
foreign policy.” Paris
Minister Steinmeier further welcomed
the establishment of the SAB: “The distinguished scientists on the Board will serve the
Organization’s top leadership not only in an academic capacity but also as partners
(SAB)who

major “scientific concerns about the future of

The second Meeting of the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board
speak for society at large.”

together in a coherent manner the collective

was held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 10 and 11 December 2014. The
Chairperson of the SAB, Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, welcomed the
In his introductory remarks, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Ban Ki-moon,
participants by video message, as she had been absent on the first day of the
explained the specific rationale for establishing the SAB as a body to advise the UN
Meeting due to otherand
Secretary-General pressing obligations.
Executive Heads See annex
of UN I for theon
agencies textscience
of her statement.
for sustainable

people and the planet” as requested by the

development-related matters: “We face a multiplicity of crises, risks and vulnerability that are
The Secretary-General of thebyUnited Nations addressed a video message to the can

capacity of all relevant scientific fields, with

too intertwined to be solved one nation alone. No single decision-making body
Meeting, in which
address them. he setresearch
No single out a listarea
of ifive areas which
can unravel them.he[…]wanted
We needSAB to address
scientific at
approaches
this
that session.
overcome In barriers
additionbetween
he requested SAB and
disciplines members to raise
methods. any scientific
We need a holisticconcerns
vision of the
they may have
challenges about
to build the future
integrated of people
responses. Andand
we the
needplanet and global
local and regarding which
political he
leadership
would
informeddobyhis best
solid to push
science for a global
and innovative response.
approaches The text
to problem of theThe
solving.” message is
UN Secretary-

Secretary-General.
contained in annex II. three short-term landmarks for the SAB: the UN Climate Summit in
General emphasized

due regard to social and ethical dimensions of

September 2014, the last mile for reaching the MDGs by 2015 and the post-2015
development
18 Members agenda.
of the SAB participated in the Meeting under the co-chairmanship of
Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Zakri, Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of Malaysia and Irina
Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO. Observers from WMO, UNEP and WIPO also
participated. During the Meeting, interventions were also made by a number of 1 REPORT OF THE FOURTH MEETING

sustainable development. The fields will span

invited high-level experts, namely Jeffrey Sachs, Director, Sustainable Development
Solutions Network (SDSN); David Wilkinson, Director of Scientific Policy and OF THE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
Stakeholders Relations, Joint Research Centre, European Commission; Frans
Berkhout, ICSU representing the Future Earth Programme and Rob Jenkins, Global
OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

Nearly a dozen subgroups of the Board have

Young Academy (for list of participants see Annex III). OF THE UNITED NATIONS

a broad spectrum, from the basic sciences,

Prior to the SAB Meeting, the Chairman of UNESCO’s Executive Board, H.E.
Ambassador Mohamed Sameh Amr, organised two briefing meetings for delegations
Fourth Meeting
with a few SAB members on issues at the core of UNESCO’s science mandate,
14-15 December 2015

been formed and worked on specific issues

namely the role of science in the context of the SDGs, oceans, climate change and
Saint Petersburg,
meeting on Russian
the results ofFederation
big data. Another information the discussions Meeting was Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation

through engineering and technology, social

organised by Director-General Bokova for all Member States at the end of the SAB
Meeting. The Ambassador 14–15 December
and Permanent 2015of France to UNESCO,
Delegate
Monsieur Philippe Lalliot, hosted a reception at the Quai d’Orsay for SAB members

and tasks. This Summary Report is drawn

and Permanent Delegates of Member States, providing an opportunity for further in-
depth discussions and interactions.

science and humanities, ethics, health, economic, The programme of the Meeting can be found in annex IV. Its initial focus was on a
Results of a Delphi Study on the Top Challenges
review of the SAB work during 2014 and progress on the work streams agreed at the
first SAB Meeting infor the Future
Berlin. of Humanity
Discussions and the
ensued about the Planet
following issues, including

largely from the policy briefs and other

to be brought to the attention of the Secretary-General

behavioral, and agricultural sciences, in addition

to the environmental sciences, which are more advice requested by the Secretary-General, or SAB/4/INF/7 1

commonly associated with sustainability. generated by the Board on its own initiative. The
Scientific Advisory Board hopes and believes it
Fourth Meeting
Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation

has provided and is providing valuable service

14–15 December 2015

to the Secretary-General, to the United Nations,

Policy Brief on
Data Revolution for Better Lives for All
The Crucial Role of Science for Sustainable Development

and to the world community.

and the Post‐2015 Development Agenda

Preliminary Reflection and Comments by

the Scientific Advisory Board of the UN Secretary‐General SAB/4/INF/6

MEETINGS & DATES

to the ongoing discussions in New York
(ECOSOC, Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, other post‐2015
related processes)

Given the number and complexity of global

challenges today, the Board recommends that
4 July 2014

1.
Policy Brief for the UN Climate Summit (23 September 2014)

Berlin, Germany
the Secretary-General retain this institutional
It is widely accepted that some of the major challenges that we face at the global as well as the local level
require decision making based on an increasing level of scientific knowledge. Scientific inputs are critical

30–31 January 2014

to our understanding of the drivers of global change and of its multi‐faceted, complex impacts. These are
also fundamental to the legitimacy of political efforts to control the problem and to the creation of a

innovation in the United Nations, and

growing slate of available and affordable solutions. The interface between science and policy, therefore,
acquires growing importance not only for protecting the ecosystems of this planet and managing the
global commons on a sustainable basis, but also in ensuring that decisions are taken in full knowledge of
the scientific nature of problems that we confront and the solutions that should be implemented to deal
1 with them. In areas like dealing with climate change, protecting biodiversity and the conservation of

2. strengthen its role and its collaborations with

natural resources, science necessarily provides the foundation for rational policies and decision making.
Climate change is one part of a larger set of problems that relate to the management of the global

Paris, France
commons in general.

Initial Assessment of the Report Entitled Challenges and barriers

“A World That Counts: Mobilizing the Data Revolution for Sustainable

other UN organizations.
There is no doubt that there are some uncertainties associated with knowledge related to planetary

10–11 December 2014

Development” problems that the world is confronted with. However, the recent advance of knowledge as brought out,
for instance, in the assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), provides a
23 March 2015 substantial wealth
Commentsof robustbyinformation
Members onof
thethe
basisScientific
of which decisions
Advisory can Board
be takenof
with
thea high level of
certainty related to their outcomes and impacts. Some uncertainty in scientific, financial or technological
of the UN Secretary‐General
issues is something that human society has dealt with for long, and even today business decisions are
often characterized byon highthe IEAG
levels of draft Report
uncertainty on Data
related Revolution
to future outcomes. Despite these recent
1. It is essential that the Data Revolution reduces, rather than entrenches, the data advances, it is well known that scientific knowledge today is not being incorporated effectively in the
divide between rich and poor. Those with access to data and information will have more

3.
formulation and implementation of policies30 and decisions
October in critical areas of human endeavour. There are
2014
power in this new world than those who do not, and enhancing equity among countries and

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

several reasons for this situation.
stakeholders in access to and use of data is a fundamental requirement for this revolution to
contribute to sustainable development. We recommend that the data divide issue should be The UN Secretary‐General Ban Ki‐moon has asked an Independent Expert Advisory Group (IEAG) to make
addressed by integrating strategies for the dissemination and use of data/information by all Scientists
concrete are often not familiar
recommendations with the
on bringing complexities
about and practical
a data revolution problemsdevelopment.
in sustainable associated with
Thepolicy‐
Group
people. is making
part of and the outcome of specific
the Secretary‐General’s decisions.
efforts Conversely,
to prepare decision
a Synthesis Report makers do notbyalways
requested comprehend
UN Member States
scientific
ahead phenomena,
of the which often
intergovernmental do not lend
negotiations themselves
leading to the to ease of of
adoption matching with practical
the post‐2015 agenda.decision‐
The UN

26–27 May 2015

2. The implementation plan should go beyond statistics and correlations to the making frameworks.
Secretary‐General Ban Ki‐moon has also asked that the members of his Scientific Advisory Board (SAB)
processing and management of data/information that establishes causality and process- engage in the elaboration of his Synthesis Report including its Data Revolution part.
oriented data. It will indeed be unfortunate to have correlation supplant our understanding of There are also some differences in priorities between the two groups. Scientists are subject to a different
causation and model based analytics. Such a balanced approach, will be needed to ensure forma of
After accountability,
quick examination– and, hence,
given theare primarilytight
extreamly focused on research
deadline ‐ of the and
draftpublishing
Report oninData
peer‐reviewed
Revolution
that the SDGs are driven by the best available science, supported by processed data, with journals.onBesides, even 2014
if scientists
released 24 October by theare deeply
IAEG, motivated
the SAB members to orient
wouldtheir
like work towards
to offer better policy,
the following they
comments
established cause and effect. lack appropriate avenues
for further consideration in through which toofinfluence
the elaboration the political
the final version of theprocess.
Report:Policy makers, on the other
3. Since the data will be obtained multi-modally (written, audio and video streams for Page 1 of 2
1. The draft Report is comprehensive, forward looking, focused, cogent, reflecting the UN principles for

4.
instance) and from multiple sources, systems should be established for the assessment and
sustainable development, and practical in its recommendations.

St. Petersburg, Russian Federation

categorization of data quality, provenance, and time-criticality. Guidelines should also be
developed for the characterization and use of rich or sparse data, using lessons from, for
example, the fields of meteorology, public health and demographics, which have long 2. SAB Members highly appreciate that the notions of “equity in access and use of data” as well as
experience in developing this methodology. “quality and integrity” have been given importance and are listed as key principles.

4. Science, Technology and Innovation:

Training programs, possibly on-line versions, should be developed to build the 3. With regard to equity in access and use of data, it is noted that, although an important para on page

14–15 December 2015

necessary capacity for the widespread use of this envisaged data/information system. These 4 highlighhs that ‘Above all, this should be a revolution for equity in access and use [of] data", the
Critical Means of Implementation for the SDGs
could include: on-line training programs; real-time training programs, and train-the-trainer recommendations of the Report do not refer to this fundamental problem of equity. The SAB
programs. There are existing organisations and institutions both within the UN system and Members suggest therefore that specific recommendations be formulated in this respect and
without that could be harnessed to play a leading role in this arena. proposes that the following key global priorities be included:
Reflections by a. Avoiding a data divide between rich and poor countries;
5. The approaches to the sharing of big data/information should draw from the rich
the Scientific
experience acquired from Advisory Board
techniques of the UN Secretary-General
developed for the analysis and sharing of Strengthening the High-Level Political Forum and the UN
b. Harmonization and standardization of data platforms for increased accessibility and exchange;
c. Capacity building nationally and regionally ;
meteorological data, as well as the sharing of biodiversity, public health and agricultural
Global Sustainable Development Report

5.
d. Identification of vastly experienced (e.g. India, Malaysia) but not necessarily “rich” countries to
production data. These are exemplars of areas in which successful methods have been
help less endowed countries;

Trieste, Italy
developed for Roundtable
based on the the sharingDiscussion
of big data/information by multiple
held on 23 April organizations
2015 at the across
UNHQ, in the the world.
framework
Their e. Establishment of training institutes, from technical training to graduate education at universities;
of the successful experience
fourth session and expertise should,
of the intergovernmental therefore,
negotiations on thebe integrated
Post-2015 into a multi-
Development
stakeholder team that should be convened by the United Nations to manage the sharing of the newly energized United Nations University system could perhaps play a leading role;
Agenda f. Job creation as part of ramping up.
big data/information. Policy Brief by the Scientific Advisory Board of the UN Secretary-General
4. One general question to be addressed from the outset could be: what should be prioritized? What

24–25 May 2016

should a government, say in Sub‐Saharan Africa, do first? Join international organizations that might
be created or build local national capacity? Is there an opportunity to create jobs, especially for
youth and young women? Such a prioritization could be pursued by the proposed “Global
1
9 July 2015

9 July 2015

9
 NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Duberstein
Airglow around the equator is the result complex
interactions between Earth’s magnetic field lines
(shown in white here) and terrestrial weather.
NASA’s ICON mission, led by a team at the University
of California at Berkeley, will study such interactions
in the near-Earth space environment

10
SCIENCE: The foundation
S
cience, technology, and innovation knowledge is critical in determining how our future In addition, there is no doubt that important
are the key drivers of a development as the human race in a sustainable environment knowledge already exists among indigenous
agenda that is people-centered and will unfold. Solutions are being proposed and peoples and local communities all over the globe,
sustainable. STI can be a game-changer in tested. As one example, scientists and engineers waiting to be integrated and promoted by a
dealing with nearly all the most pressing have advanced the efficiency of solar panels and larger audience. History provides many examples
global challenges. Solutions based in STI can wind turbines, and the capacity and durability of of this reality. One familiar illustration: How
contribute significantly to alleviating poverty, batteries, much faster than many predicted, raising many thousands of Europeans died of malaria,
creating jobs, reducing inequalities, increasing hope where there was once pessimism, that the or suffered blood-letting or limb amputations,
incomes, and enhancing health and well-being. world may be able to reduce its dependence on before society finally recognized that preparations
STI can help provide food and water security and fossil fuels before it is too late. from the bark of the Cinchona tree (now known
access to energy, and is central to the response to contain quinine) used for centuries by the
to climate change and biodiversity loss. The people responding to these challenges – from Quechua people of Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador
heads of state and government, to ministers, actually cured the disease, often completely?
More broadly, as nations work toward the resource managers, farmers and technicians –
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), science are often frustrated to find that the facts on the Applied science in many forms has value that is
will be an indispensable ally, exploring the true ground are changing rapidly, and that the change universally accepted, as has been abundantly
nature of complex problems, and pointing ways is accelerating, sometimes exponentially. This rapid demonstrated, for instance, in the success
toward the most effective responses. change is a loud alarm bell, signaling the urgent of medical researchers to develop the Ebola
need for science to keep pace. Climate change is vaccine quickly. Yet in many quarters science
Science demonstrates its enormous value every just one global challenge for which this need for a is still not fully embraced as a prerequisite to
day, yet much more needs to be accomplished. further massive increase in the efficacy of the science effective policy-making.
For instance, scientists have tirelessly worked is clear. There are many such challenges including
on increasing our understanding of the causes the spread of infectious diseases, the precipitous Meanwhile, basic research conducted with no
and impacts of climate change. This research has decline in global biodiversity, population growth, specific application in mind – or curiosity-driven
required new observations of the atmosphere, rich-poor gaps that are widening instead of research – has often produced breakthroughs. Even
ocean, land, and ice as well as new integrated narrowing, and the degradation of the world’s though it may not provide immediate solutions,
models. It has pulled together the research ocean. In many cases, greater efficacy may not basic science leads to new discoveries and new
communities across disciplines of geoscience, require massive new funding. Research being knowledge, and offers new approaches, and is the
engineering, and social science in order to address conducted by universities, private companies, fuel for new technologies and innovation.
scientific questions at a system level and has served and governments can be extraordinarily valuable,
as the foundation for the Intergovernmental Panel and lead to groundbreaking social innovation, Basic science and applied science are
on Climate Change and other initiatives. Such especially if the results are harnessed effectively. interconnected and interdependent. They

11
 complement each other so as to provide should push for and facilitate the establishment

USGS EROS Data Center

innovative solutions to the challenges humanity of international goals for research funding,
faces on the way to sustainable development. both applied and curiosity-driven, and urge
Science of both types needs to be recognized individual nations to achieve them.
as a public good, integral to achieving our
common goals. Science should at all times proceed with
independence, diligence, and prudence. It is
Scientific knowledge often takes years to work critical that the deliberative scientific process
into policy development as was demonstrated in is followed and protected and that data and
December 2015, when, at the 21st Conference of scientific results are readily available. Scientific
the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on credibility is built upon rigor and reproducibility.
Climate Change (COP21), 195 nations adopted Individual results taken out of broader scientific
the Paris Agreement on Climate Change – a context can seem to be contradictory and not
full quarter-century after the global scientific useful for policy decisions. For science to be
community met in Geneva to tell the world that effective in informing policy it must reflect the
climate change was indeed a significant threat, best aggregated knowledge available and be
and largely caused by humans. The science was communicated clearly.
necessary, but not sufficient. A great deal of
advocacy and deliberation over many years was Science has value beyond its immediate subject
needed before the Paris Agreement was reached. matter. For instance, international tensions are
far more likely to be relieved when negotiations
A dozen countries1 with strong STI systems are based on evidence and facts, rather than
invest over 2.5 percent of their gross domestic preconceptions or beliefs. And science can be
product in research and development, while an equalizer, an enabler of all people, especially The Aral Sea in Central Asia began
some poorer countries view a one percent the most marginalized and vulnerable. Among disappearing in the 1960s because of the
investment as a high target. Still, many many examples: advances in food science diversion of its two feeder rivers for agriculture
countries fail to invest their share to fund an that have improved the nutrition of hundreds Left to right: 1977, 1998 and 2010
acceptable level of basic research.Developing of millions of people, and development of
nations often underfund any but the most vaccines that have eradicated smallpox and

Basic science and

applied research, perhaps understandably, but nearly eradicated other diseases such as polio.
threatening thereby to widen the income gap Today, HIV infection is not the death sentence

applied science are

with richer nations even further. The United it was only a few years ago, thanks to new
Nations, through its Scientific Advisory Board, antiretroviral drugs that are now available

interconnected and
1 In 2014, these countries were: Israel 4.2%, South Korea throughout the world. Science is certain to
3.6%, Finland 3.5%, Sweden 3.4%, Japan 3.4%, Germany play a major role in confronting such global

interdependent.
2.9%, Switzerland 2.9%, Denmark 2.9%, United States challenges in the future.
2.8%, Austria 2.8%, Singapore 2.7%, Qatar 2.7%. See 2014
Global R&D Funding Forecast, Battelle.

12
 RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Scientists, policy-makers, and societal

leaders should strongly advocate for
public awareness of science as a public
good and for public understanding of
scientific knowledge and methods. The
United Nations should take leadership
of this campaign.

2. Scientific research – both basic and applied

– deserves greater support from all nations.
Even the poorest countries should invest a
minimum of one percent of gross domestic
product in research, and more advanced
nations should invest three percent or more.

3. At every step, scientists must be vigilant in

assuring that they are narrowing, and not
widening, income and opportunity gaps.

4. It is critical that needed policies be

implemented effectively. To that end, the
implementers need to use science to the
utmost, to determine if their actions are
producing the desired results.
Science is critical to discovering the detailed No one thinks the United Nations can or should
nature of multifaceted challenges, and to provide solutions to all the world’s great
5. Scientists also need to learn more about
formulating the policies that will respond to them challenges, or even be the leader in each of those
policy-making and implementation to
most powerfully. Science is also fundamental quests. But the world surely has a right to expect engage more productively with the
to measuring outcomes, establishing causality and even demand that the United Nations deliver policy community.
and encouraging the deployment of the what no other institution can: setting global
most effective possible strategies. In a word, priorities, promoting and coordinating research 6. Training institutes for scientists and for
implementation of those strategies is crucial, and action to address the most challenging policy-makers at all levels should be
and the implementers must work hand-in-hand problems, enabling the effective worldwide use established, as one element of capacity
with the scientists. of all data – in effect, building policies with bricks. building, both nationally and regionally.

13
 Access to data: empowering women in Sudan

UN Photo/JC McIlwaine
14
DATA: The revolution

T
he “Data Revolution”, the near-explosive rigorous approach will be needed to ensure that
growth in the volume of information, the implementation of the SDGs is driven by the
raises both opportunities and concerns best available science, supported by data, with
in several areas: established cause and effect.

What is the quality of the data and how The rise of “big data” in particular opens new
are they collected? possibilities. Certainly the solid scientific
underpinnings of the Paris Agreement relied
How are they used?
heavily on an abundance of data. Some
How can the world community deal disciplines have more experience than others
with equity issues arising from differing in dealing with such material, and offer models
abilities to access and make use of this from which others can learn.
fountain of information to transform it
into useable robust knowledge? At the same time that data are rapidly becoming
more plentiful and more useful, the Board has
The benefits, clearly, are enormous. Most broadly, given priority as well to issues of equity. That focus
the data enable us to look at the earth as an has been strong and consistent. It is essential
integrated system, encouraging scientists to use that the Data Revolution reduces, rather than
them in an integrated fashion. The approaches entrenches, the data divide between rich and poor
to the sharing of big data/information should and men and women. Above all, this should be a
draw from the rich experience acquired from revolution for equity in access and use of data.
techniques developed for the analysis and sharing
of meteorological data and particle physics data, as But when it comes to equity, good intentions
well as the sharing of biodiversity, public health, and are only a start. To actually achieve a reduction
agricultural production data. These are exemplars in the data divide, the commitment will have to
of areas in which successful methods have been be unwavering, the efforts relentless.
developed for the sharing of big data/information
by multiple organizations across the world. There are steps to take, such as assuring that
stakeholders from multiple perspectives are
The Scientific Advisory Board urges an intense recruited to join in evaluating data and helping
and steady focus on the quality of data, so that to plan how it will be used. Indeed, the United
whenever possible the results establish causality Nations, through its numerous agencies, is
and do not simply describe correlation. Such a uniquely positioned to facilitate the collection

15
 of various types of data with an eye to quality, Information meeting on Science for
RECOMMENDATIONS equitable access and sharing, including privacy Sustainable Development: Scientific
issues, and effective use. Advisory Board members and the President
of the UNESCO Executive Board in Paris,
1. Data platforms should be harmonized and December 2014
standardized to increase accessibility and

UNESCO
encourage exchange.

2. International collaborations on data

science and technology research are
urgently required, especially to support
countries with limited information,
institutional, and technological capacity.

3. Adequate data infrastructure and policies

should be created to deal with issues such
as privacy, data access, data integrity, data
preservation, and the control of the quality
of data and repositories of data.

4. World leaders and the scientific

community should encourage collectors of
data, whether sovereign nations or other
entities, to share it.

The Scientific Advisory Board urges an

5. The United Nations should initiate a
multidisciplinary international research

intense and steady focus on the quality

project, including a diverse group of
stakeholders, to examine how the highest-
possible quality of data can be identified
and developed for the implementation of
the SDGs.
of data, so that whenever possible the
6. Since data collectors and providers
results establish causality and do not
frequently have little understanding of the
cultures and needs of data users, and vice simply describe correlation.
versa, a much stronger symbiosis between
the two needs to be encouraged.

16
SCIENCE–POLICY–SOCIETY INTERFACE:
The road to sustainability

C
limate change, population growth, and including a diversity of stakeholders, from No other organization rivals the United Nations
the deterioration of the world’s ocean government, civil society, indigenous peoples in its ability to nurture the connections of
are all examples of global problems and local communities, businesses, academia, science, policy and society that are so urgently
caused by multiple stressors, and which will and research organizations. To be effective, needed now, and to do so with a global purview.
require multiple solutions applied multiple cooperative effort of that breadth will need more Who else, for instance, would pull together
times. As just one example, the ocean is not than the occasional serendipitous interaction a group of world leaders into a High-Level
only threatened by temperature rise and the of different groups of society. It will need an Political Forum in an effort to strengthen these
concomitant sea level rise, but also by changes institutionalized architecture that convenes connections? For the science-policy-society
in circulation, different patterns of mixing, all affected parties to assure that scientific interface to be effective, it is critical for science
acidification, deoxygenation, overfishing, knowledge is utilized fully so that policy-making to be drawn into the decision-making process
pollution, and human litter. is evidence-based. more systematically, for science to take on
current social problems, and for science to be
Because of the complexity and scope of such The United Nations possesses the unmatched communicated effectively to political leaders
problems, and because in some cases the ability to provide this architecture, and is doing and the larger society. The UN High-Level
dangers are not only increasing but accelerating, so now in many ways and at many levels. Yet the Political Forum encourages this process, and its
new approaches are needed. architecture needs to be improved substantially. role deserves to be reinforced.
Frequently, science provides compelling
In this context, much attention is paid to the evidence of serious and irreversible threats to the When considering the science-policy-society
“science-policy interface,” and appropriately environment and to human well-being posed interface, it is important to remember that
so. Science without policy can be scattered and by particular courses of action, yet these actions scientists and decision-makers by nature
often fruitless. Policy without science usually are pursued nonetheless. Indeed, decisions are operate from different priorities, and are subject
fails to accomplish the immediate goal, and often taken in response to short-term economic to different forms of accountability. The arrow of
undermines confidence that the next policy will and political interests, rather than the long-term influence points in both directions. Yes, policy-
be any better. When science and policy unite, interests of people and the planet. So there is a makers often respond to short-term dictates that
the chances of success increase greatly. need for wider recognition of science as a public pay too little attention to the more fundamental,
good – one which, by its nature, takes the long long-term view set out by science. But it is also
Indeed, what is really needed is an efficient view. Once achieved, this recognition would true that many scientists focus on research and
science-policy-society interface that will warn public officials and other societal leaders publishing peer-reviewed papers, and are not
create and make use of a holistic framework to ignore scientific evidence at their peril. familiar with the complexities and practical

17
 problems associated with policy-making and
implementation. The United Nations can
and should take steps to encourage mutual
understanding, and thereby to make the
interface more fruitful.

The “society” part of this interface includes

“politics,” in the sense that the people, through
political consensus, are the ones to assess
science-informed policy options and carry out
the chosen strategies. And it also includes private
businesses, non-governmental organizations,
and other stakeholders. Scientific inputs are
critical to our understanding of the drivers of
global change and of its multi-faceted, complex
impacts. These are also fundamental to the
legitimacy of efforts to control the problem and
to the creation of a growing slate of available
and affordable solutions.

UN Photo/Dwi Kristiyadi
Adequate funding for research that is policy-
relevant can produce formidable scientific
results that can lead in turn to policy initiatives of
global societal and environmental importance.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at Decision-making frameworks must be

the World Economic Forum launch developed that lead policy-makers toward the
of the Sustainable Development right decisions; this will require full use of the
Goals, in January 2016
best science available, and often the generation
of new science. And just as one policy will not
suffice to tackle any such multiple stressor issue,
one policy-maker will not do, either. People from
different backgrounds, different cultures, and
different disciplines will have to come together in
those frameworks to produce the best decisions.
In most instances, repeated interactions will be
essential to optimal outcomes.

18
 This does not mean that all actions will be leaders and societal groups in ways that are
GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE
reduced to an average. The independent-minded accessible and comprehensible.
scientist or policy-maker or advocate who clings DEVELOPMENT REPORT
passionately to a divergent belief must have the Another critical need is the design and 2016 EDITION
ADVANCE UNEDITED VERSION

courage to speak out, and, where there is merit, implementation of systematic monitoring and
decision-makers must listen, and have the evaluation systems to gauge progress toward
courage to be persuaded. But even when such the attainment of the SDGs and their related
individuals produce real breakthroughs, the targets. Evidence-based implementation and
next steps will be taken collegially. Increasingly, monitoring will be crucial to understanding
leadership will mean interaction – the sharing successes and failures.
of information and policymaking – the sharing
of power. Information is indeed power, and effective
communication is urgently needed if the world
Keys to success will be the science, and how community is to be engaged in decision-making.
it is communicated. It is critical for science to This means not only better communication
be engaged in the decision-making process within the scientific community, or among
more systematically, synthesized in ways that policy-makers, or between politicians and
are relevant to current societal problems and citizens, but among all those with a stake in the
challenges, and communicated to political outcomes.

So there is a need
MIGHT

for wider recognition

of science as a
public good – one
which, by its nature,
takes the long view.
Members of the Scientific Advisory Board
in discussion at the 3rd meeting, Malaysia,
May 2015

19
 RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Existing bodies such as the national 4. The United Nations should make greater
academies of science and the UN Scientific use of its Global Sustainable Development
Advisory Board should engage more Report by elevating it to the level of a
systematically in reviewing existing flagship global publication, engaging the
programmes and in preparing new scientific community in its production,
initiatives, thus laying the ground for and ensuring that it focuses on major
scientifically informed policy-making. challenges and contains offerings from a
broad range of scientific bodies.
2. Science needs to be adequately
represented in the emerging 5. Decision-makers who would benefit from
implementation and review architecture scientific knowledge should make science an
of the 2030 Agenda within the United integral part of their design from the start.
Nations, especially with regard to the
High-Level Political Forum for Sustainable 6. Transparency is a must, both to make the
Development; the Global Sustainable scientific expertise more objective, and
Development Report; the Technology also to minimize the influence of special
Facilitation Mechanism and its Science, interests. A relationship that would be
Technology and Innovation Forum for the an outright conflict of interest when
Sustainable Development Goals. kept secret might turn into a valuable
confluence of interests if everyone
3. The United Nations should strengthen understands what those interests are.
the High-Level Political Forum, and its
use of science, through convening regular 7. To ensure a continuing flow of creative
scientific conferences in advance of HLPF scientists with the skills and training that
sessions and through representation of the will be needed as technology becomes ever
Scientific Advisory Board as an advisor, or more complex, countries should promote
preferably as a sitting member. science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics in their schools.

20
UN Photo/JC McIlwaine

A woman educates about the polio vaccination

campaign in Darfur, Sudan

21
 REDUCING INEQUALITIES:
A global imperative

S
ince the Scientific Advisory Board’s Indeed, “Reduced Inequalities” is one of 17 to industrial production, environmental
inception, helping the United Nations SDGs for 2030, but is closely linked to many remediation, and management. The focus
to reduce inequalities has been a core others, such as eradicating poverty and hunger. should be on inclusive approaches centered on
goal. There has been progress, particularly Still, nearly 1 billion people live in extreme knowledge of all types that have withstood the
among the most vulnerable nations, many poverty, and 800 million are malnourished. test of time.
of which have improved their standing
compared with more developed countries. Clearly, these goals must be pursued holistically; This last point is crucial. If efforts to reduce
But by several measures, economic and the income gap will not shrink significantly until disparities employ a top-down approach that
opportunity gaps within poor nations are the opportunity gap closes; quality education assumes that larger and richer countries have
widening. In developing countries, income cannot be delivered in classrooms full of ill or all the right answers, this can contribute to
inequality rose by 11 percent between 1990 hungry children. the homogenizing effects of globalization.
and 2010. According to a recent (June, 2016) But this is emphatically a two-way street.
UNICEF report, children born in sub-Saharan Strategic investments in science, technology, and There are many ways in which knowledge
Africa are 12 times more likely than children innovation should focus on sustainable solutions produced in developing countries can be used
in high-income countries to die before their that are co-designed and co-owned by all. This to solve problems in developed countries. The
fifth birthday, just as they were in 1990. strategy should include investments in science knowledge required for addressing the complex
education; novel alternative energy solutions; problems of the 21st century will need to
Large disparities persist in access to health new robust building materials from locally include the vital contribution of indigenous and
care, to education that is effective enough to available materials; nanotechnology for health local peoples and the experimental evidence
lift children out of poverty, and to other assets. and agriculture; and biological approaches they generate.

Examples abound: The devastating Indian

The focus should be on inclusive Ocean tsunami of 2004 took some 200,000
lives, but the Moken peoples of the Surin
approaches centered on Islands in Thailand remained unharmed.
Though none had experienced a tsunami, they
knowledge of all types that have knew the signs – knowledge passed down
through generations – telling them to move
withstood the test of time. swiftly to higher ground. A different example:

22
 the often-controversial shifting or swidden fields of science have long been dominated
agriculture, involving the rotational clearing by male voices. Greater gender balance can RECOMMENDATIONS
and sometimes burning of plots, is opposed only produce better analysis and better policy-
by large-scale producers. However, in many of making. The Scientific Advisory Board believes 1. The United Nations should adopt and
the tropical forests of Asia, Latin America, and that its own make-up – intentionally half men encourage robust, holistic policies that
Africa, through better management of land use and half women – has fostered vigorous debate recognize the forces linking such factors as
pressures and respect for customary tenures, and healthy collaboration, with results that are health, education, opportunity, incomes,
full rotation could enhance productivity and likely more comprehensive and constructive social mobility, and nutrition.
sustain biodiversity. than would be the case otherwise.
2. Science education deserves special
Gender inequality is another persistent The best policies, responding even to society’s attention because it lags badly in many
disparity. Women make up half the world’s largest problems, will likely emerge when all less-developed countries, and also because
population, but they do not play a significant – men and women, rich and poor – are at the persons well trained in science would
role in the world’s policy-making. Candidly, most table, interacting. improve not only their own families’
incomes and prospects, but those of their
nations as well.
UN Photo/Marco Dormino

3. The United Nations should consider

establishing centers of excellence in
developing countries, with high schools
and colleges around them, as preparation
for the next generation of scientists.

4. At every turn, women should have the

opportunity to engage fully – not in the
interest of equality alone, but in the
interest of the best outcomes.

5. In this sustainable development era,

science should incorporate all valuable
inputs, including from indigenous and
local knowledge systems.

Children conduct classroom science

experiment in Harar, Ethiopia

23
 THE DELPHI STUDY:
Identifying grand challenges RECOMMENDATIONS

O
ne key asset of the UN Scientific Advisory development and implementation of policies 1. The United Nations should seek a broader
Board is its ability to take a global needed to respond to global challenges. audience for the Delphi study findings
perspective. This allowed the Board through active outreach, moving them
to make a fresh assessment of some of the most Science itself cannot be categorized as a special from science to policy and to society.
pressing global challenges. Eight grand challenges interest or even as a useful tool, but must be
emerged in May 2015 from a Delphi study2 initiated seen as integral to any serious consideration 2. To address these grand challenges the
the year before in which the UN Secretary-General, of the challenges we face, the powerful policies United Nations should press for greater
Ban Ki-moon, invited the Board to identify “scientific that will be needed to surmount them, and collaboration among international science
the development of adaptation and mitigation networks, including professional societies
concerns about the future of people and the planet.”
and academies, and indigenous and local
strategies and technologies.
knowledge holders.
These issues are addressed in detail in the Delphi
study on the Top Challenges for the Future of
Humanity and the Planet (SAB/4/INF/7).3

Immediately clear from the list of grand challenges Scientific concerns about the future and the planet
is that these cannot be categorized as “scientific
concerns” alone, but as serious problems for 1. Improving ocean science and governance 5. Averting human disasters through prediction
the entire world community. The Board’s Delphi for the development of sustainable ocean of extreme environmental events
study could therefore help prioritize actionable knowledge-based economies
6. Changing the fossil fuel paradigm through
ideas of use in pursuit of the SDGs, and could
2. Reversing global biodiversity loss and creating development of affordable emissions free
also stimulate long-range thinking about the a new paradigm for the global tropics technologies

3. Developing a global strategy and response 7. Providing potable water for all
system to fight infectious diseases and
2 The Delphi method is used to distill knowledge and build re- 8. Addressing the nexus of stressed planetary
antibiotic resistance
liable consensus among experts who may not be in the same resources such as water, food, and energy,
geographical location. In this case it involved three rounds of
4. Ensuring national public investments their unequal use, and population growth
structured, sequential questioning of the members of the UN
Scientific Advisory Board, with controlled feedback.
in basic research as a fraction of GDP
(0.2–1 percent)
3 http://en.unesco.org/un-sab/sites/un-sab/files/SAB_4_
INF_7_Dephi_Study.pdf

24
 UN Photo/Marco Dormino
Solar power: Changing the fossil fuel
paradigm through development of
affordable emissions free technologies

25
 The Scientific Advisory Board
4th meeting in St Petersburg,
Russian Federation, December 2015

National Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO

26
THE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD:
Moving forward

T The Board
he Scientific Advisory Board is a unique The transition to this new era is not understood
and pioneering experiment. Its work has fully, but the responsibility to grasp its

urgently needs
helped create a strong foundation for consequences as rapidly as possible is clear.
the United Nations’ core mission going forward. There can be no reluctance to “tackle the big

an independent
Many nations and organizations, indeed a issues,” the Secretary-General said at the time.
number of other UN agencies, turn to appointed And to this end, one certainty is that:

funding stream
science advisors or advisory committees for
counsel on scientific matters. But there is no “We need more integrated policies… scientific

to support its
other body that has the global scale and high- approaches that overcome barriers… a holistic
level audience of the UN Scientific Advisory vision of the challenges… and local and global

work between the

Board, appointed by the UN Secretary-General; political leadership informed by solid science.”
the broad scope of its mandate; and the
Members of the Scientific Advisory Board
formal meetings
diversity of disciplines, experience, and national
backgrounds. believe that the Board’s work has answered this
call. The Board has responded to inquiries from
Sustainable development is now the core of the the Secretary-General, such as the policy brief on and facilitate the
the data revolution that emphasizes the need to
convening of
United Nations’ mandate. Science will be critical
to the implementation of the new global goals, avoid widening the rich/poor information gap. It
has done significant work on its own initiative,
Board meetings in
and scientists will be necessary partners. One
can expect progress on the 17 SDGs if policy- such as the report highlighting the value of local
and indigenous knowledge. It has supported
countries around
makers employ and engage science well.
other work by the United Nations and the global
In his remarks to the inaugural meeting of community, such as the policy brief on the risks
the UN Scientific Advisory Board in January of climate change. And it has eagerly tackled the world.
2014 Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted big issues, as in the Delphi study of grand
humanity’s entrance into a new era of the challenges.
Anthropocene where human activity has a direct
and measurable impact on the planet’s life- In a survey of Board members conducted for this
support systems. report, the majority says they believe the Board

27
 has been effective by a number of measures, The Board reports that it has benefitted from its The UN Scientific Advisory Board is situated at
though more so, initially with the Secretary- gender parity; from the diversity of disciplines, the nexus of these issues, uniquely positioned to
General than with UN agencies. experience, and national backgrounds of its ensure that priorities are set, focus is maintained,
membership; and from a growing collegiality. the right parties are convened, investments
The survey also reflects nearly unanimous are made, data are mined, challenges are
agreement that UNESCO has effectively Looking ahead, one task that the Board, communicated, and optimal decisions are made,
provided the secretariat functions for the UN in collaboration with others, could readily because they are based on solid science. The
Scientific Advisory Board even in the face of undertake is to determine and map the various Board, through its focus on science, technology,
severe financial challenges. However, the science advisory mechanisms within the UN, in and innovation, sees itself as a driver and enabler
Board urgently needs an independent funding the interest both of efficiency and effectiveness. of an inclusive and people-centered sustainable
stream to support its work between the formal development agenda.
meetings and facilitate the convening of Board More broadly, the Board promises to become even
meetings in countries around the world. To more important as the world takes up the work of Several suggestions for the governance of the
date, the five Board meetings have been fully overcoming global challenges. As the Secretary- Board in its next chapter are enumerated below.
supported by the host governments and by General’s admonition suggests, policies will be
UNESCO rather than by a dedicated budget for able to respond adequately only if they are clear,
its operations. agreed-upon, and powerful, and such policies will
be developed only if science is fully engaged. RECOMMENDATIONS
The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon with
Chairperson, Irina Bokova, and members of the 1. The Board is ready to take on a more visible
Scientific Advisory board, in New York, July 2015 and active engagement with the scientific
community.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

2. A focal point for the Board within the

office of the Secretary-General should
be established. This would foster better
communication with the Secretary-General
as well as a range of UN agencies.

3. The Board recommends a well-resourced

secretariat, exclusively working for the Board.

4. Members believe the Board has gradually

developed a strong sense of collegiality
that has heightened its effectiveness and
recommend staggered terms of service –
providing both refreshment and continuity.

28
ICTP Photo Archives

Members of the Scientific Advisory

ICTP Photo Archives

Board and observers at Board’s 5th

meeting in Trieste, Italy, May 2016, at
The Abdus Salam International Centre
for Theoretical Physics

Scientific Advisory Board members at work

29
 UN headquarters, New York:

UN Photo/Cia Pak
projection of the 17 SDGs to raise
awareness about the 2030 Agenda

30
CONCLUSION

T
his report builds on the work of all implementation. Likewise, where solutions to
members of the UN Secretary-General’s global problems are not yet clear, it is science
Scientific Advisory Board, including that is pointing ways toward finding them.
numerous discussions, presentations, meetings, UNITED NATIONS

and policy briefs. Recent experience proves that science can be

not only strong but fast, that breakthroughs
If the Board were seeking to make headlines often occur when least expected, and that TRANSFORMING OUR WORLD:
with this report, we could focus on some of the scientists and policy-makers, working together,
world›s most challenging threats, and describe need not be intimidated by even the world’s
trend lines that are now headed toward places most formidable challenges. The eradication of
where no one wants to go. This would be fully once-devastating diseases, rapid improvements
justified. Yes, it is possible that climate change in agriculture, and the response to climate THE 2030 AGENDA FOR
can cause catastrophic harm in decades, not change are examples that illustrate this vividly; SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
centuries; that population growth will accelerate, there are and will be others.
especially in the world›s poorest countries;
that international conflicts will become more It is true, of course, that the application of
frequent because of disputes over water rights, science can also have harmful effects. Science
food, economic pressures, and unequal access should be characterized by independence,
to information. diligence, prudence, and humility. The scientific
community has to reflect on its responsibility to
But we choose instead to take a more optimistic society and the planet and be aware of possible
tone. We believe that solutions to many of the misuse of its work.
most pressing problems are essentially known
now, and those problems can be mitigated It is universally acknowledged that the first
effectively if approached cooperatively and if step toward solving a problem is to name
world powers contribute the resources required it. The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for
to implement the solutions. Achieving the Sustainable Development makes long strides
needed level of cooperation will be far more in that direction through its 17 Sustainable
likely if science is used to describe the problems Development Goals and 169 targets. All, or
accurately, to point to the needed policy nearly all, of these rely on science in one fashion
responses convincingly, and to enable effective or another.

31
 This underlines one of our central messages:

UNESCO/ Pilar Chiang-Joo

that science is not an add-on but an integral
part of the response to all these challenges, that
indeed the only way we can have confidence
in the world’s ability to surmount some pretty
daunting threats is if the policies we rely on are
built, brick by brick, by science.

And even beyond the specific global challenges,

this Scientific Advisory Board believes the
United Nations has shown that the effective
convening of the world community to confront
its most serious challenges has itself eased
global tensions. All parties are much more likely
to work together if the essential problems are
understood, and the necessary policies agreed-
upon. Critical to this is the power of science
to identify the fundamental problems with
certainty, and to discover the optimal policies.

The UN Scientific Advisory Board has provided

the foundation for interdisciplinary scientific
advice to the UN Secretary-General. In coming
years, it can work with UN agencies and the
broader scientific community to engage science
systematically and sustainably as the United Celebration of World Science Day at UNESCO
Nations seeks to resolve global problems and Headquarters
facilitate the implementation of the Sustainable
Development Goals.

The United Nations has shown admirable It is universally acknowledged

leadership in science-informed global policy-
making at the highest levels. In the age of the that the first step toward solving
Anthropocene, it will have the opportunity – and
in truth the obligation – to provide even more. a problem is to name it.

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