Guidebook for the Preparation of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for SDGs Roadmap

United Nations Inter-Agency Task Team on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs and European Commission, Joint Research Centre (2021) Guidebook for the Preparation of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for SDGs Roadmap #124 p.

This Guidebook is intended for interested national and local governments, agencies and institutions that wish to use roadmaps as a policy tool to harness STI as a means to achieve the SDGs. 

It is a comprehensive resource developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to help countries integrate science, technology, and innovation (STI) into their national strategies for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The guidebook provides a step-by-step approach to developing an STI roadmap, including identifying priorities and setting targets, mobilizing stakeholders, assessing policy options, and monitoring progress. It also includes case studies and practical examples from different countries to demonstrate how STI can be harnessed to achieve the SDGs. Overall, the guidebook aims to help countries leverage the power of STI to accelerate progress towards sustainable development.

It may also be of interest to stakeholders taking part in the dialogue – an essential stage in design, implementation, monitoring and adjustment of the STI for SDGs Roadmaps – and to a wider public audience wishing to advance global and national SDG agendas. 

It provides several recommendations for African countries to integrate STI into their national strategies for achieving the SDGs. Some of the specific recommendations include:

1. Building capacity for STI: African countries should invest in building human and institutional capacity for STI, including education and training programs, research and development facilities, and technology transfer initiatives.
2. Fostering innovation ecosystems: African countries should create conducive environments for innovation, including incubation hubs, science parks, and venture capital networks. They should also promote collaboration between academia, industry, and government to facilitate knowledge sharing and technology transfer.
3. Strengthening STI policy frameworks: African countries should develop and implement comprehensive STI policies that are aligned with their national development goals and the SDGs. They should also establish effective regulatory frameworks to support the commercialization and diffusion of new technologies.
4. Mobilizing financial resources: African countries should mobilize financial resources to support STI initiatives, including public and private sector funding, international development assistance, and innovative financing mechanisms such as impact investment and social bonds.
5. Promoting gender equality and social inclusion: African countries should promote gender equality and social inclusion in their STI strategies, ensuring that women and marginalized groups have equal access to education, training, and employment opportunities in STI-related fields.

Overall, these recommendations are intended to help African countries leverage the potential of STI to accelerate progress towards the SDGs and achieve sustainable development.