Science Summit at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78)

Event is over, Zoom Recording is located here.

Open Science and artificial intelligence (AI) are driving transformative changes across various domains, revolutionizing the way research is conducted and knowledge is shared. However, ensuring equitable partnerships in Open Science remains a significant challenge in the current AI era and a barrier to accomplish SDG17, which cuts across all SDGs. A panel comprising representatives from every country aims to foster a collective understanding of the barriers and opportunities in building equitable partnerships for Open Science, specifically within the context of the AI era.

The session will explore the multifaceted aspects of equitable partnerships in Open Science, emphasizing the need for collaboration, inclusivity, and fairness. Panelists from diverse backgrounds, including academia, industry, government, and civil society, will engage in a constructive dialogue to identify and share best practices, strategies, and policies for promoting equitable partnerships.

Abstract
Open Science and artificial intelligence (AI) are driving transformative changes across various domains, revolutionizing the way research is conducted and knowledge is shared. However, ensuring equitable partnerships in Open Science remains a significant challenge in the current AI era and a barrier to accomplish SDG17, which cuts across all SDGs. A panel comprising representatives from every country aims to foster a collective understanding of the barriers and opportunities in building equitable partnerships for Open Science, specifically within the context of the AI era.

The session will explore the multifaceted aspects of equitable partnerships in Open Science, emphasizing the need for collaboration, inclusivity, and fairness. Panelists from diverse backgrounds, including academia, industry, government, and civil society, will engage in a constructive dialogue to identify and share best practices, strategies, and policies for promoting equitable partnerships.

Key discussion points will span:

1. Recognizing and addressing power imbalances in international collaborations for Open Science.
2. Promoting knowledge sharing and capacity building initiatives to bridge the digital divide.
3. Ensuring inclusivity and diversity in AI-driven research and development.
4. Protecting intellectual property rights while fostering open and collaborative research environments.
5. Developing ethical guidelines and standards for AI-enabled research to mitigate biases and potential harm.
6. Strengthening data governance frameworks to ensure responsible and equitable data sharing.

The panelists will draw upon their experiences, insights, and initiatives from their respective countries to provide practical recommendations that can be implemented globally. The discussion will highlight the importance of equitable partnerships in Open Science as a means to democratize knowledge, facilitate innovation, and address global challenges collaboratively.

By bringing together one representative from every continent, this panel discussion will foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration, encouraging attendees to think critically and innovatively about the future of Open Science in the AI era. The insights generated from this session will contribute to the development of a roadmap for building equitable partnerships and promoting responsible and inclusive AI-enabled research at a global level.

Expected outcomes
By bringing together one representative from every continent, this panel discussion will foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration, encouraging attendees to think critically and innovatively about the future of Open Science in the AI era. The insights generated from this session will contribute to the development of a roadmap for building equitable partnerships and promoting responsible and inclusive AI-enabled research at a global level. Participants will walk away with the nuances in AI-enabled research in global north and global south countries.

VENUE LOCATION:
Cure by Deerfield
345 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10010, USA
We will check your registration at the entrance. Please bring your ID.

The role and contribution of science to attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be the central theme of the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly, which will take place in New York and online from 12-29 September 2023. This will be the ninth edition of the Science Summit.
The objective is to develop and launch science collaborations to demonstrate global science mechanisms and activities to support the attainment of the UN SDGs, Agenda 2030 and Local2030. The meeting will also prepare input for the United Nations Summit of the Future, which will take place during UNGA79 in September 2024.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the set of 17 interconnected goals set out by the United Nations in 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030. Science has a pivotal role to play in achieving these goals and enabling the post-SDG agenda, including:
Science provides policymakers with the data, evidence, and insights to make informed decisions. Without rigorous scientific understanding, interventions might not be practical or could even be counterproductive. Many of the challenges posed by the SDGs, such as ensuring clean water for all or achieving sustainable energy, require technological solutions. Science drives the innovation and development of these technologies.

The SDGs are interconnected, meaning that progress in one area can impact others. Science, especially when approached from an interdisciplinary perspective, can help us understand these connections and ensure holistic solutions. Many global challenges are complex and multi-faceted. Science can help unpack these complexities by modelling outcomes, studying systems, and providing clear pathways to solutions.
Science helps in setting realistic and achievable targets. Once interventions are in place, scientific methods can monitor and evaluate progress, ensuring that efforts are on track and adjusting strategies as necessary. For many countries, especially developing countries, achieving the SDGs requires building capacities in various sectors. Science and education are central to this, ensuring that countries have the skills and knowledge base to drive their development.

Opening Session
09h00
Declan Kirrane, Chair, Science Summit UNGA78
Triona McCormack, Co-Chair, Science Summit UNGA78
Pilar Gomez, Co-Chair, Science Summit UNGA78
09h10
Seema Kumar, CEO, Cure, USA
09h15
Magdalena Skipper, Editor-In-Chief, Nature
09h20
Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General, Standing Committee on Scientific & Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
09h25
Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, CEO, National Science Foundation, South Africa
09h35
Irene Norstedt Director, People Directorate, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission, Belgium (Keynote)
09h50
Pamela Ruiz, Chief Business Development Officer, Inteleos, USA
09h55
Denis Naughton, Chairperson Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Working Group on Science &
Technology, Ireland
10h00
Lidia Borrel Damian, Secretary General, Science Europe, Belgium
10h05
Marc Carrel-Billiard Accenture, USA
10h10
Brian O’Connor, Chairman, ECHAlliance, UK
10h15
Batjargal Zamba, Chief Science Advisor, IRIMHE MET/NAMEM, Mongolia
10h20
Intisar Soghayroun, Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO), Sudan
10h25
Michael Makanga, Executive Director European Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), South Africa
10h30
Anna Stewart-Ibarra, Executive Director, Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), Uruguay
10h35
Litha Magingxa, CEO, Agricultural Research Council, South Africa.
10h40
Nishka Sharma, Youth Mentorship Program
10h45
Suzanne L Dickson, European Brian Council
10h50
Tomas John, Landcent
10h00
Break
11h00 - Panel Discussion:
Seema Kumar, CEO, Cure, USA (Moderator)
Bernardo Mariano Junior, Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO), United Nations
Magdalena Skipper, Editor-In-Chief, Nature
Alejandro Adem, Chair, Governing Board of the Global Research Council (GRC), Canada
1200 End


SDG 13 explicitly targets climate action. Science is fundamental to understanding climate change, its impacts, and the solutions required to mitigate and adapt to it. The SDGs emphasise the importance of life on land and below water. Science informs us about biodiversity loss, its implications, and ways to restore and conserve ecosystems.
Scientific research is crucial for understanding diseases, developing treatments, and ensuring healthy lives (as outlined in SDG 3). Science helps understand and predict natural disasters, which is crucial for building resilient infrastructure and communities. Scientific research and innovation can stimulate economic growth by paving the way for new industries, enhancing productivity, and creating jobs.

Science and technology can play a role in reducing inequalities. For instance, providing internet access or renewable energy solutions can empower marginalised communities.

Science is not just one of many tools in the quest to achieve the SDGs; it is foundational. It provides the knowledge, techniques, and innovations necessary to address the world's most pressing challenges. For the SDGs to be realised by 2030, a robust scientific approach must underpin global and local efforts. The Summit will examine what enabling policy, regulatory and financial environments are needed to implement and sustain the science mechanisms required to support genuinely global scientific collaborations across continents, nations and themes. Scientific discovery through the analysis of massive data sets is at hand. This data-enabled approach to science, research and development will be necessary if the SDGs are to be achieved.

The Science Summit will have two broad themes:

• Inclusion: The term "inclusion" encompasses a broad spectrum of meanings. Within the context of the Science Summit, it signifies "data inclusion." For globally impactful data-driven science, ensuring open access to and utilisation of scientific data is paramount. While the European Union and other nations are ushering in data protection and AI regulations that promise significant advantages, the true potential of these benefits can only be harnessed if the of a will be a regulatory design process is inclusive. Regulations should be crafted with input from all affected nations, the principle being "no regulation without representation."
• Development Finance: For the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and development banks (over 450 Development Banks account for more than 10% of world investment) to invest more significantly in science, they must recognise the direct and indirect linkages between scientific advancement and socio-economic development. Traditionally, these institutions have emphasised infrastructure, health, education, and economic stability. By recognising science as a crucial development pillar, these institutions can allocate more resources towards it. By aligning thei

The role and contribution of science to attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be the central theme of the Summit. The objective is to develop and launch science collaborations to demonstrate global science mechanisms and activities to support the attainment of the UN SDGs, Agenda 2030 and Local2030. The meeting will also prepare input for the United Nations Summit of the Future, which will take place during UNGA79 beginning on 12 September 2024.

Opening Session
09h00
Declan Kirrane, Chair, Science Summit UNGA78
Triona McCormack, Co-Chair, Science Summit UNGA78
Pilar Gomez, Co-Chair, Science Summit UNGA78
09h10
Seema Kumar, CEO, Cure, USA
09h15
Magdalena Skipper, Editor-In-Chief, Nature
09h20
Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General, Standing Committee on Scientific & Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
09h25
Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, CEO, National Science Foundation, South Africa
09h30
Tom Arnold, Chair, EU Commission’s High-Level Expert Group to Assess the Need for an International Platform for Food Systems Science (IPFSS)
09h35
Irene Norstedt Director, People Directorate, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission, Belgium (Keynote)
09h50
Pamela Ruiz, Chief Business Development Officer, Inteleos, USA
09h55
Denis Naughton, Chairperson Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Working Group on Science &
Technology, Ireland
10h00
Lidia Borrel Damian, Secretary General, Science Europe, Belgium
10h05
Petra Jantzer Global Life Sciences Lead & Senior Managing Director, Accenture, USA
10h10
Brian O’Connor, Chairman, ECHAlliance, UK
10h15
Batjargal Zamba, Chief Science Advisor, IRIMHE MET/NAMEM, Mongolia
10h20
Intisar Soghayroun, Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO), Sudan
10h25
Michael Makanga, Executive Director European Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), South Africa
10h30
Anna Stewart-Ibarra, Executive Director, Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), Uruguay
10h35
Litha Magingxa, CEO, Agricultural Research Council, South Africa.
10h40
Nishka Sharma, Youth Mentorship Program
10h45
Suzanne L Dickson, European Brian Council
10h50
Tomas John, Landcent
10h00
Break
11h00 - Panel Discussion:
Seema Kumar, CEO, Cure, USA (Moderator)
Bernardo Mariano Junior, Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO), United Nations
Magdalena Skipper, Editor-In-Chief, Nature
Alejandro Adem, Chair, Governing Board of the Global Research Council (GRC), Canada
1200 End



The Summit will examine what enabling policy, regulatory and financial environments are needed to implement and sustain the science mechanisms required to support genuinely global scientific collaborations across continents, nations and themes. Scientific discovery through the analysis of massive data sets is at hand. This data-enabled approach to science, research and development will be necessary if the SDGs are to be achieved.
The Science Summit will begin with a Digital Science Plenary on 12-13 September 2023.
SSUNGA78 builds on the successful Science Summit at UNGA77, which brought together over 1600 speakers from all continents in more than 400 sessions.

The Science Summit at UNGA78 will bring together thought leaders, scientists, technologists, innovators, policymakers, decision-makers, regulators, financiers, philanthropists, journalists and editors, and community leaders to increase health science and citizen collaborations across a broad spectrum of themes ICT, nutrition, agriculture and the environment.

The Opening Plenary will be hosted by The Cure on Park Avenue.

VENUE LOCATION:
Cure by Deerfield
345 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10010, USA
We will check your registration at the entrance. Please bring your ID.

In this session, CEOs of cutting-edge cleantech companies will share their vision of what industry, government and civil society need to do to accelerate the energy transition and how their technologies can transform the way we live, work and sustain our planet. We will hear their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities we face in the coming years and how important a global approach will be in mitigating climate change.

This will be an interactive session where we hope to provoke new approaches and ways of think about the energy transition and how global partnerships can be formed to accelerate these efforts.

In this session, CEOs of cutting-edge cleantech companies will share their vision of what industry, government and civil society need to do to accelerate the energy transition and how their technologies can transform the way we live, work and sustain our planet. We will hear their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities we face in the coming years and how important a global approach will be in mitigating climate change.

This will be an interactive session where we hope to provoke new approaches and ways of think about the energy transition and how global partnerships can be formed to accelerate these efforts.

Sustainable Investment in Latin America.
Location: Columbia Law School, Jerome Greene Hall – room 106 (TBC).
Date: 12/Sept./2023 - 1:30 p.m – 4:00 p.m.
Limited inscriptions (mandatory): https://sciencesummitunga.com/ssunga78/121601

An environmental summit entitled “Strategic Dialogue on Climate Action, Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Investment in Latin America” (121661) will take place on 12 September 2023 as part of the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78).

All over the world, public policies are trying to face the challenge of providing efficient responses to global environmental and socioeconomic challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss. Possible responses require a multidisciplinary approach.

Aiming to discuss how to bridge reduce the gap between theory and practice in addressing these challenges, particularly in the context of Brazil and Latin America, the summit will have two sessions, the first one focusing on what is currently being done by organizations to advance the climate, biodiversity, and sustainable investment agendas, while the second one intends to face the complexity of the themes related to justice and exploit the nexus between climate, criminality and social inequalities.

Both sessions will be co-chaired by Professor Patrícia Iglecias and Martina Muller, Programme Manager, Partnerships UN Officer for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The program will feature:

Welcome remarks:
Professor Lisa Sachs, Director, Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
Professor Patrícia Iglecias, University of São Paulo, President of the Law for a Green Planet Institute and partner at Wald Law Firm.

Opening Speakers:
Professor Michael Gerrard, Columbia University, “Climate litigation in Latin America”
Professor Paulo Artaxo, University of São Paulo, “The Carbon Market and its role in protect biodiversity in the Amazon rainforest”
[TBD] “SDG-aligned finance and its role in achieving climate and sustainable development goals”
Martin Dietrich Brauch, LL.M. Researcher, Columbia University, “A comprehensive climate policy toolkit for less net and more zero”

Round Table 1: CLIMATE AND BIODIVERSITY SOLUTIONS
Professor Paula Pereda, University of São Paulo, School of Economics, Business and Accounting, "Carbon pricing in food systems: issues and targets as support for Article 6 of the Paris Agreement"
Ediléu Cardoso Junior, CEO, KWP Energia. "The use of solar energy in water reservoirs and its contribution to climate agenda and mitigation of CO2 emissions"
Professor Julio Romano Meneghini, University of São Paulo, Engineering School "Technical potential production of green hydrogen using surplus electricity from sugarcane biorefineries in Brazil"
Artur Villela Ferreira, CEO of GFB Green Forest Bond Company, "Enhancing the role and coverage of carbon pricing and green bonds"
Marcus William Oliveira, CEO of Circular Brain, “The use of technology for e-waste circularity and the contribution for a net-zero production”
Rafael Tello, Head of Sustainability of Ambipar, “The private sector strategies for a circular economy”

Round Table 2: CLIMATE JUSTICE
Professor Ana Cristina Limongi França, University of São Paulo, School of Economics, Business and Accounting "The connection between education, quality of life, poverty eradication, and the climate agenda"
Professor Christiano Jorge Santos, Judge at São Paulo Tribunal of Justice and Professor at PUC São Paulo: "Organized crime: impacts for the environment and human health"
Caroline Marques: Lawyer at Wald Law Firm, Far-reaching impacts of wildlife trafficking: from the biodiversity decline to climate injustices.
Camila Valverde, Director of Impact, Global Compact UN Brazil, "Public policies to promote climate justice in Brazil"
Maria Antonia Tigre, Senior Fellow, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, “The status of climate litigation in Latin America”
Professor Gabriel Wedy, Federal Judge, Vice-President of the Law for a Green Planet Institute and Environmental Law Professor (Unisinos University), "Climate Justice in Latin America"
The environmental summit will connect experts to discuss public policies that can be implemented in Latin America along climate-aligned sustainable development.

Sponsored by Wald Law Firm a networking cocktail shall be offered at the end.

VENUE LOCATION:
Cure by Deerfield
345 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10010, USA
We will check your registration at the entrance. Please bring your ID.

Ensuring Quality Global Health Through Independent Validation: Certification

Training and independently validating proficiency of primary health clinicians through certification is in direct alignment with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Training and certification in healthcare enhances equity and access to care by upskilling primary clinicians and provides economic opportunity for both clinicians and health systems through local capacity building and partnerships. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) found that “eighty percent of global merchandise trade is influenced by testing and other measurement-related requirements of regulations and standards.” Standards through certification can also improve productivity and efficiency, increase economic competitiveness, and catalyze innovation.

SDG 3 states “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” Expanding the number of clinicians that have been trained and certified to a maintained standard enhances the quality of care to a larger number of patients. As an example, the WHO Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2021-2025 states the imperative to “educat[e] enough midwives and nurses with competencies to meet population health needs”. To reach the SDG 3 targets requires expansion of primary clinicians’ scope of practice through policy change and standardized guidelines, culminating in certification.

Goal 4 “Ensure[s] inclusive and equitable quality education and promote[s] lifelong learning opportunities for all.” Goal 4.4 specifically requires “by 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.” Efforts must be grounded in Public-Private sector engagement within the health ecosystem, including (but not limited to) public and private hospital systems, education and training providers, Ministries of Health, Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authorities (TVET), and Inteleos as an independent, ISO-accredited global certifier.
A systems approach must prioritize technology to increase equitable access to education, training, and certification by offering both online and in-person training as well as online assessment and certification. Training and certification can scale via virtual and augmented reality and simulation, and standardized interoperable and verified credentials of proficiency can be recognized through blockchain or another verifiable trust layer. This also supports Goal 9B: “Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities.”

Goal 5 calls to “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.” Many, though not all, health clinicians at the primary level are women. Focusing on these cadres for training and certification allows them to upskill, gain professional development and opportunities for increased salaries and leadership positions. With training, certification and devices, clinicians may have entrepreneurial opportunities to serve beneficiaries of care directly.

Goal 8 states: “Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.” Local, national, and global financing entities can invest in standardizing healthcare, upskilling clinicians, and expanding human resources for health (HRH). Through an integrated and local approach of training in-country by local training entities, a fee-for-service model enables economic sustainability. Clinicians can also maintain larger train-the-trainer models, thus keeping economic gains in-country. Through innovative direct-to-patient platforms and apps that verify clinical credentials[1] already in existence in Kenya and South Africa to name a few, clinicians can serve patients at home or in more rural areas, not only expanding care but also individual economic opportunities. 
 There is a global healthcare ecosystem that can be economically driven towards the necessary advancement and impact outlined in the above Sustainable Development Goals. Independent validation of proficiency through certification is the key to ensure quality assurance and, ultimately continued progress of the Goals by 2030 and beyond.
 
  [1] https://www.ponea.com/ and https://www.quromedical.co.za/ as examples

Abstract

It is universally acknowledged that energy is synonymous with sustainable development globally, but experts' predictions indicate that the reserves of the currently dominant non-renewable energy sources are rapidly depleting. Besides the potential global energy shortages that may arise from the ongoing reckless consumption of non-renewable energy sources, their usage has been proven to have significant detrimental effects on the environment.

While this is often classified as a global challenge, the direct impacts on continents such as Africa which are dominated by developing countries are more pronounced. This is perhaps why the United Nations continues to advocate the concepts of sustainable energy to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

While it is possible to realise the desired economic, societal and environmental outcomes within the framework of the sustainable development goals by the creation and application of sustainable energy resources, this will heavily rely on the implementation of collaborative strategies (especially in the areas of knowledge sharing) between the developed and developing nations.

Ideally, such strategies should initially focus on frameworks that would ease the implementation of sustainable energy policies, as well as identify limiters and enablers to such policies. Therefore, the symposium provides an avenue for interactions between industry, academia and Governments from countries at different stages of implementing clean energy practices to foster knowledge and experience exchange.

The symposium will cover the following themes, although additional topics that align with the main themes will also be covered:
• Clean energy sources
• Clean energy development policies
• Energy transition, efficiency and utilisation
• Energy consumption prediction and optimisation
• Key technologies for smart energy management
• Reliability and maintenance of clean energy systems

Dear Meeting Participants,

Please have a look at our session recording (link pasted on this site), and find the time slots that may be particularly interesting to you below. We hope that you appreciate the topics, which were health research incl. implementation approaches, African leadership, capacity building in 14 sub-Saharan African countries and Germany, networking and policy engagement as well as the panel discussion about how we can pave the way for positive change in health. We hope that you liked the session in case you had the chance to participate.

Please understand that the lower quality of the video (particularly the first 16 minutes) is caused by zooming in on the speaker, but the presentations are then of high quality.

Time in Video                 Agenda

00:00 – 02:00         Welcome by Manuela Rehtanz (Moderator), RHISSA Coordinator, DLR-PT

02:00 – 03:23         Welcome by Elisabeth Deus, Counsellor for Health Affairs, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations in New York

03:30 – 16:35          Brian O'Connor “Digital Health in Africa”, Executive Chair, ECHAlliance

16:36 – 20:03          Introduction to the networks by Manuela Rehtanz

Network presentations

20:08 – 33:45           ADAPT: One Health

34:04 – 51:45           DASH: Adolescent health

51:47 – 1:07:32        NORA: Breast and cervical cancer

1:07:33 – 1:22:47     STAIRS: Sepsis

1:22:54 – 1:37:50     TAKeOFF: Lymphatic filariasis and podoconiosis

1:38:00 – 1:54:22     TB Sequel: Post tuberculosis lung disease

European Commission

1:55:02 – 2:07:44     Irene Norstedt, Director responsible for the People Directorate, DG for Research and Innovation, European Commission

Panel Discussion

2:07:53 – 3:22:02     Six network leaders and Magdalena Skipper, Editor in Chief of the journal “Nature” discuss
                                 “How can we achieve the SDGs and pave the way for positive change in health now?
                                  Followed by questions from the floor & chat

3:22:03 – 3:25:05      Brief wrap-up and recommendations


Agenda
12:30    Admission to the building
13:00    Lunch and open exchange
14:00    Welcome by Manuela Rehtanz (Moderator)
             RHISSA Coordinator, DLR-PT
14:03    Welcome by Elisabeth Deus
             Counsellor for Health Affairs
             Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations in New York
14:05    Brian O'Connor “Digital Health in Africa”
             Executive Chair, ECHAlliance
14:09    Introduction to the networks
14:15    Network presentations
15:45    Irene Norstedt
             Director responsible for the People Directorate, DG for Research and Innovation, European Commission
16:00    Panel discussion: “How can we achieve the SDGs and pave the way for positive change in health now?”
             Six network leaders and Magdalena Skipper, Editor in Chief of the journal “Nature”
16:40    Questions from the floor & chat and brief wrap-up
17:00    Open exchange with light food
17:45    Departure

Introduction & aims

“Research Networks for Health Innovations in Sub-Saharan Africa” (RHISSA) has been a major funding initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) since 2016. Working in 14 sub-Saharan countries and Germany, five networks have improved treatments and diagnostic tests for tropical diseases, contributed to several WHO guidelines and participated in the local SARS-CoV-2 pandemic response during the first funding phase (2016-2022). The networks have also built and expanded research capacities and strengthened intra-African and African-German networking.

With this session, we aim to connect the six networks of the second funding phase (2023-2028) with key stakeholders to initiate discussions that might help optimize their research implementation, capacity strengthening and research uptake.

Abstract

Under RHISSA, the networks will implement research programs that target neglected tropical diseases (filariasis, podoconiosis, onchocerciasis) and high-burden diseases (sepsis, breast and cervical cancer, post-tuberculosis lung disease) and address challenges around adolescent health and One Health (with a focus on antibiotic resistance). Through African-led partnerships between African and German academic and non-government organizations, the networks build and strengthen research capacity in 14 sub-Saharan countries and Germany, support the career development of junior and senior researchers and engage in discussions about research uptake. To address local and regional needs, the networks have aligned their research plans with regional policy strategies.

With their programs, the networks aim to contribute to the achievement not only of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all”, but also other SDGs, such as education, innovation, decent work, strong institutions, gender equality and partnerships for the goals.

The networks will present their plans across four work packages: research, capacity building, networking and policy engagement and research transfer.

We will conclude the session with a panel discussion about achieving SDG3 and other SDGs until 2030, about what has to follow and about how we can pave the way now for positive change in global health for all people.

Expected Outcomes

• A fruitful discussion on what we can achieve in health until 2030 and beyond and on what we have to initialize now for positive change.
• Increased visibility for the networks and their research topics
• Interdisciplinary exchange with other researchers having similar goals, such as contributing to the achievement of the SDG3
• Networking with stakeholders, such as government, industry and civil society representatives, interested in bringing research results into policy and practice

Dear Meeting Participants,

Please have a look at our session recording (link pasted on this site), and find the time slots that may be particularly interesting to you below. We hope that you appreciate the topics, which were health research incl. implementation approaches, African leadership, capacity building in 14 sub-Saharan African countries and Germany, networking and policy engagement as well as the panel discussion about how we can pave the way for positive change in health. We hope that you liked the session in case you had the chance to participate.

Please understand that the lower quality of the video (particularly the first 16 minutes) is caused by zooming in on the speaker, but the presentations are then of high quality.

Time in Video                 Agenda

00:00 – 02:00         Welcome by Manuela Rehtanz (Moderator), RHISSA Coordinator, DLR-PT

02:00 – 03:23         Welcome by Elisabeth Deus, Counsellor for Health Affairs, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations in New York

03:30 – 16:35          Brian O'Connor “Digital Health in Africa”, Executive Chair, ECHAlliance

16:36 – 20:03          Introduction to the networks by Manuela Rehtanz

Network presentations

20:08 – 33:45           ADAPT: One Health

34:04 – 51:45           DASH: Adolescent health

51:47 – 1:07:32        NORA: Breast and cervical cancer

1:07:33 – 1:22:47     STAIRS: Sepsis

1:22:54 – 1:37:50     TAKeOFF: Lymphatic filariasis and podoconiosis

1:38:00 – 1:54:22     TB Sequel: Post tuberculosis lung disease

European Commission

1:55:02 – 2:07:44     Irene Norstedt, Director responsible for the People Directorate, DG for Research and Innovation, European Commission

Panel Discussion

2:07:53 – 3:22:02     Six network leaders and Magdalena Skipper, Editor in Chief of the journal “Nature” discuss
                                 “How can we achieve the SDGs and pave the way for positive change in health now?
                                  Followed by questions from the floor & chat

3:22:03 – 3:25:05      Brief wrap-up and recommendations

Agenda
14:00    Welcome by Manuela Rehtanz (Moderator)
             RHISSA Coordinator, DLR-PT
14:03    Welcome by Elisabeth Deus
             Counsellor for Health Affairs
             Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations in New York
14:05    Brian O'Connor “Digital Health in Africa”
             Executive Chair, ECHAlliance
14:09    Introduction to the networks
14:15    Network presentations
15:45    Irene Norstedt
             Director responsible for the People Directorate, DG for Research and Innovation, European Commission
16:00    Panel discussion: “How can we achieve the SDGs and pave the way for positive change in health now?”
             Six network leaders and Magdalena Skipper, Editor in Chief of the journal “Nature”
16:40    Questions from the floor & chat and brief wrap-up
17:00    End of session

Introduction & aims

“Research Networks for Health Innovations in Sub-Saharan Africa” (RHISSA) has been a major funding initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) since 2016. Working in 14 sub-Saharan countries and Germany, five networks have improved treatments and diagnostic tests for tropical diseases, contributed to several WHO guidelines and participated in the local SARS-CoV-2 pandemic response during the first funding phase (2016-2022). The networks have also built and expanded research capacities and strengthened intra-African and African-German networking.

With this session, we aim to connect the six networks of the second funding phase (2023-2028) with key stakeholders to initiate discussions that might help optimize their research implementation, capacity strengthening and research uptake.

Abstract

Under RHISSA, the networks will implement research programs that target neglected tropical diseases (filariasis, podoconiosis, onchocerciasis) and high-burden diseases (sepsis, breast and cervical cancer, post-tuberculosis lung disease) and address challenges around adolescent health and One Health (with a focus on antibiotic resistance). Through African-led partnerships between African and German academic and non-government organizations, the networks build and strengthen research capacity in 14 sub-Saharan countries and Germany, support the career development of junior and senior researchers and engage in discussions about research uptake. To address local and regional needs, the networks have aligned their research plans with regional policy strategies.

With their programs, the networks aim to contribute to the achievement not only of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all”, but also other SDGs, such as education, innovation, decent work, strong institutions, gender equality and partnerships for the goals.

The networks will present their plans across four work packages: research, capacity building, networking and policy engagement and research transfer.

We will conclude the session with a panel discussion about achieving SDG3 and other SDGs until 2030, about what has to follow and about how we can pave the way now for positive change in global health for all people.

Expected Outcomes

• A fruitful discussion on what we can achieve in health until 2030 and beyond and on what we have to initialize now for positive change.
• Increased visibility for the networks and their research topics
• Interdisciplinary exchange with other researchers having similar goals, such as contributing to the achievement of the SDG3
• Networking with stakeholders, such as government, industry and civil society representatives, interested in bringing research results into policy and practice

VENUE LOCATION:
Cure by Deerfield
345 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10010, USA
We will check your registration at the entrance. Please bring your ID.

Inclusive Science for Global Sustainable Development in a Climate-changing World

Man has been striving to improve its well-being over centuries. Production of goods and services is needed for the economic growth and well-being of nations. Several inventions over many centuries have resulted in longer life expectancies, wealth creation, industrialization, urbanization, etc. However, these achievements come at invaluable costs to man and the environment. Anthropogenic activities are necessary for human existence, dignity, and quality of life. Unfortunately, this comes with detrimental consequences to man and the environment. Sustainable utilization and management of human and natural resources, therefore, becomes imperative. It implies resource use in justifiable ways without compromising its use in perpetuity. Sustainable utilization and management of resources is, therefore, the responsibility of all.

The 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations aim to address key socio-economic global challenges as part of the UN's Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. Each of the 17 goals targets a global challenge that member countries are expected to address. Poverty, environmental pollution, and climate crisis exacerbate the impacts of these global challenges across the globe. The global south is particularly at higher risk of these effects. The UN and the developed world, over the past two decades have attempted to mitigate these challenges. Support in different forms is being provided to developing countries across the globe to tackle some of the challenges. The big question though is the local relevance and optimal benefits of those interventions, especially in scientific discourses. For example, the expected norm of the occurrence of legacy and emerging contaminants in environmental compartments after rainfall and/or flooding episodes will be different in developed and developing countries for many reasons.

Five key issues that have been identified recently by the UN include (1) Rescuing the Sustainable Development Goals, (2) Taking stock of an intensifying climate crisis (3) Managing the fallout from COVID-19’s long tail, (4) Delivering record levels of humanitarian need driven by conflicts and disaster and (5) Building more inclusive systems for international cooperation. These five global issues speak mainly to three major themes - socioeconomic equities, inclusivity, and environmental sustainability.

The 17 SDGs may be grouped into three categories that are needed to tackle the triple challenges of socioeconomic, inclusivity and relevant partnerships, Goals 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger) 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 4 (Quality Education), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) seek to address socio-economic issues.

Inclusivity goals include 5 (Gender Equality), 10 (reduced Inequalities), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The other SDGs - 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water), and 15 (Life on Land) speak to environmental sustainability.

The scientific community is key to the successful accomplishment of the set goals. The need to foster strategic partnerships, promote inclusivity (gender, race, geography, knowledge systems, etc.) and ensure sustainability (economic, environmental, and social) in a climate-changing world becomes imperative. This session, therefore, aims to invite experts across the globe to address the challenges associated with inclusive science, environmental pollution issues, and strategic partnerships necessary to deliver on the SDGs in a climate-changing world. Research findings, interventions, and project case studies will be discussed. Additionally, a recommended roadmap for a possible paradigm shift towards optimal resource allocation and use will be presented as an output of the session.

Inclusive Science for Global Sustainable Development in a Climate-changing World

Man has been striving to improve its well-being over centuries. Production of goods and services is needed for the economic growth and well-being of nations. Several inventions over many centuries have resulted in longer life expectancies, wealth creation, industrialization, urbanization, etc. However, these achievements come at invaluable costs to man and the environment. Anthropogenic activities are necessary for human existence, dignity, and quality of life. Unfortunately, this comes with detrimental consequences to man and the environment. Sustainable utilization and management of human and natural resources, therefore, becomes imperative. It implies resource use in justifiable ways without compromising its use in perpetuity. Sustainable utilization and management of resources is, therefore, the responsibility of all.

The 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations aim to address key socio-economic global challenges as part of the UN's Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. Each of the 17 goals targets a global challenge that member countries are expected to address. Poverty, environmental pollution, and climate crisis exacerbate the impacts of these global challenges across the globe. The global south is particularly at higher risk of these effects. The UN and the developed world over the past two decades have attempted to mitigate these challenges. Support in different forms is being provided to developing countries across the globe to tackle some of the challenges. The big question though is the local relevance and optimal benefits of those interventions, especially in scientific discourses. For example, the expected norm of the occurrence of legacy and emerging contaminants in environmental compartments after rainfall and/or flooding episodes will be different in developed and developing countries for many reasons.

Five key issues that have been identified recently by the UN include (1) Rescuing the Sustainable Development Goals, (2) Taking stock of an intensifying climate crisis (3) Managing the fallout from COVID-19’s long tail, (4) Delivering record levels of humanitarian need driven by conflicts and disaster and (5) Building more inclusive systems for international cooperation. These five global issues speak mainly to three major themes - socioeconomic equities, inclusivity, and environmental sustainability.

The 17 SDGs may be grouped into three categories that are needed to tackle the triple challenges of socioeconomic, inclusivity and relevant partnerships, Goals 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger) 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 4 (Quality Education), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) seek to address socio-economic issues.

Inclusivity goals include 5 (Gender Equality), 10 (reduced Inequalities), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The other SDGs - 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water), and 15 (Life on Land) speak to environmental sustainability.

The scientific community is key to the successful accomplishment of the set goals. The need to foster strategic partnerships, promote inclusivity (gender, race, geography, knowledge systems, etc.) and ensure sustainability (economic, environmental, and social) in a climate-changing world becomes imperative. This session, therefore, aims to invite experts across the globe to address the challenges associated with inclusive science, environmental pollution issues, and strategic partnerships necessary to deliver on the SDGs in a climate-changing world. Research findings, interventions, and project case studies will be discussed. Additionally, a recommended roadmap for a possible paradigm shift towards optimal resource allocation and use will be presented as an output of the session.

THIS EVENT IS ONLY ACCESSIBLE BY INVITATION
This event is restricted to invited speakers and partners of the Science Summit. Please do not register if you have not been formally invited by the Science Summit Management.

Introduction and aims
Care of pediatric patients in resource poor settings is overwhelmed by health and healthcare disparities. The inequitable morbidity and mortality experienced by children and adolescents living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in resource-limited settings was acknowledged at the 66th World Health Assembly in 2013.
As we approach the second High Level Meeting (HLM) on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) (2023); the fourth HLM on NCDs (2025); and close of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2030, urgent action is needed to redress child health inequities. The SDGs commit Member States to action that will end preventable infant and child mortality (SDGs 3.2.1 and 3.2.2); and reduce the preventable mortality associated with NCDs by 30% (SDG 3.4).
In this context, affordable and equitable access to healthcare and essential medicines, newborn screening and other diagnostics are critical and pressing priorities for every child.
This session will review successful collaborative, rights-based, community development efforts by our group that have been shown to improve sustainable access to medicines and quality of life for children living with chronic NCDs in resource-limited environments.
 
Abstract
Established in 2021, @MATES4Kids (Maximising Access To Essential Supplies) is an international movement of like-minded organisations committed to reducing the preventable mortality associated with childhood NCDs. With a focus on one particular chronic health condition (CAH - Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia), the @MATES4Kids movement seeks to contribute in a practical way to efforts to achieve SDGs 3.2.1, 3.2.2 and 3.4 and to serve as a proof of concept for access to medicines for other NCDs.
Panelists will report on the activities of the @MATES4Kids Community of Practice to date. As an international movement (hosted on the World Health Organization’s Knowledge Action Portal), @MATES4Kids is committed to collaborative action, leveraging existing technology and scaling innovation to #LeaveNoChildBehind.
The @MATES4Kids movement is informed by several key frameworks, including the:
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
- Ottawa Charter
- Strategic Framework for Action and Five Pillars of CLAN (Caring & Living As Neighbours)
- Knowledge to Action Framework


@MATES4Kids proposes to reduce the preventable mortality associated with CAH and promote efforts to achieve the SDGs through three key objectives:
1)    Improve access to essential medicines (as per the WHO’s Essential Medicines List for Children)
2)    Scale access to Newborn Screening and other diagnostics (as per the WHO’s Essential Diagnostics List) and
3)    Strengthen childhood NCD Communities
 A panel of stakeholders will share key activities and achievements to date, as well as acknowledge barriers to the broader social, cultural and economic determinants of health for children living with NCDs in LMICs. Speakers will share updates on efforts across each of the WHO’s six regions to:
-       Scale up Newborn Screening and improve access to other essential diagnostic procedures
-       Improve access to essential medicines
-       Monitor and evaluate progress using agreed indicators
-       Expand professional Healthcare training and
-       Empower patients and families
 The attendees will hear about practical approaches that helped our group achieve success in key areas and have the opportunity to provide feedback and contribute through their personal experience:
-       A sentence on Pakistan and Zimbabwe
-       A sentence on inclusion of drugs in the WHO
-       A sentence on inclusion of laboratory tests in the EDL and the opportunities and obstacles to Newbron screening for Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
-       A sentence on identification of most important issues
 
Expected outcomes
Discussion of key learnings and successful approaches to date will inform the development of practical recommendations to help United Nations Member States scale action that will reduce the preventable and inequitable mortality currently experienced by infants and children living with chronic health conditions in resource poor settings, and thus contribute to SDG 3 “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” by 2030. Participants will be invited to join the @MATES4Kids Community of Practice on the WHO’s Knowledge to Action Portal (https://www.knowledge-action-portal.com/en/communities/overview), access existing tools and resources, and engage in ongoing collaborative efforts to reduce preventable child mortality around the world.
 Program

1. Introduction: Kate Armstrong, Jean-Pierre Chanoine and Rodolfo Rey
2. Access to hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone in Latin America: Paola Durán, Raúl Calzada
3. Successes and challenges in Southeast and Middle-East Asian countries: Aman Pulungan, Jamal Raza
4. Successes and challenges in Africa: Salwa Albuldagi
5. WHO Essential Medicines List and Essential Diagnostics List: Jean-Pierre Chanoine
6. Training specialists for and in Sub-Saharan countries: Thomas Ngwiri

Achieving sustainable economic growth and enhancing human welfare has been the primary concern for Governments and policymakers across different countries over time. We have been witnessing an unprecedented technological race for the past few decades wherein the frontrunner countries are making exorbitant gains and success. Therefore, technological inequalities are increasing among nations, leading to economic and social disparities. Henceforth, the latecomer countries are getting increasingly concerned about finding the ways and means to leapfrog to catch up with the frontrunner countries, for which the usual strategy is to build innovation capabilities: first through imitation, buying technologies and assimilating knowledge to transform later to a stage of contributing in technological advancements.

But this process is very complex and uncertain; that depends immensely on the nature of indigenous human capital. Human beings have an intrinsic ability and capacity to generate new ideas for innovation and increase production and productivity given the necessary enabling environment. Therefore, investment in building human capabilities through conducive institutional changes can play a significant role in building innovation capabilities for economic growth, mainly in latecomer countries. Over the years, many countries have increased their attention towards enhancing human capital with the aim of inculcating necessary knowledge and skills amongst the masses. However the fear of advancing technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, the internet of things etc. are posing numerous challenges for the countries engaged mainly in the production of low-value-added products and redundant processes. We have also been finding transformation in the knowledge-generating systems. Along with increasing investment in public education systems, the doors have increasingly been open for the private players; raising concerns of inclusiveness and affordability. Technological unemployment, contractual employment and informalisation of jobs are changing the nature of the labour market in different sectors and countries. Given these broader aspects, the session will focus on the dynamics of technological advancements and their impact on employment possibilities and skill needs, mainly in the countries of the Global South.

Ireland Day led by University College Dublin as part of the Science Summit at UNGA78 brings international experts together at the Irish Permanent Mission to the United Nations to discuss the important role of research and collaboration in attaining the UN SDGs and examine how Ireland is contributing to these global objectives in Achieving Sustainable and Equitable Food Systems, Deliberative Democracies and Health Cooperation Post Conflict.

8:30 to 9:15        In Person Attendee Registration and Tea & Coffee


Part A
9:30 to 9:40        Opening Remarks & Introduction to Ambassador Mythen: Triona McCormack, Director of Research, University College Dublin
9:40 to 9:45       Welcome Remarks, Fergal Mythen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UN
9:45 to 11:00      Session 1: Achieving Sustainable and Equitable Food Systems by 2030
Our current food systems fall short in meeting the necessary economic, social, and environmental requirements for ensuring food security and nutrition for everyone. They face urgent and complex challenges, both locally and globally. Our food supplies are constantly disrupted by extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, floods, droughts, and conflicts. Ireland is known for being the “green island”, a traditional farming and food production system that lies at the heart of an indigenous agri-food economy with food being one of our greatest exports. How can answering the question about how we transform our own system and the difficulties we face help us and help others globally facing similar challenges? Our panel of leading experts will address how we find a sustainable, equitable food system that can feed people and the planet. 
▪          Chair: Tom Arnold, Chair of Food Vision 2030, Ireland’s agri-food strategy and Ireland’s Special Envoy for Food Systems, 2021-2022
▪          Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, African Union Special Envoy for Food Systems
▪          Prof Jessica Fanzo, Professor of Climate, Food for Humanity Initiative Director, Columbia University
▪          John Clarke, Director for International Relations at DG Agriculture in the European Commission

Part B
11:15 to 12:00   Deliberative Democracies- Key Learnings from Ireland 
Prof. David Farrell, Chair of Politics, University College Dublin and Chair of the European Consortium for Political Research in conversation with Tom Arnold, Chair of the Convention on the Constitution in Ireland and moderated by Triona McCormack, Director of Research, University College Dublin. They will share insights from the genesis of this project in Ireland and discussing what this approach can tell us about how to drive policy and legislative change in our societies, particularly in the face of challenges to trust and truth at the heart of the global social system. They will also highlight learnings from other models of deliberative democracies taking shape internationally and reflect on the significance for democracy of processes like this. 
 
Part C
12:15 to 13:00   Health Collaboration in a Post Conflict Era – the Island of Ireland Story
The Good Friday Agreement, 25 years ago, ended decades of conflict that caused thousands to lose their lives and embedded deep divisions among the people of Northern Ireland. The Agreement was signed by the governments of the UK and the Republic of Ireland and was guaranteed by the US Government. Resulting from the Agreement a partnership was signed between the Departments of Health for Northern Ireland, Ireland and the US National Cancer Institute giving rise to the Ireland-Northern Ireland - National Cancer Institute Cancer Consortium with the aim of  reducing cancer incidence and mortality on the island of Ireland through cross-border and transatlantic collaborations in cancer research and education. The panel will discuss how this collaboration has opened up other health partnerships across the island of Ireland demonstrating the constructive dynamic fostering innovation and collaboration arising post conflict and 25 years after the Good Friday Agreement look towards the future to discuss what’s possible next.
Participants:

• Chair: Brian O’Connor, European Connected Health Alliance
• Prof Mark Lawler, Professor of Digital Health and Chair in Translational Cancer Genomics at Queen’s University Belfast, Ireland
• Prof Sir Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Health in Northern Ireland
• Triona McCormack, Director of Research, University College Dublin, Ireland

• Professor Jim McLaughlin, Professor of Bioengineering at Ulster University, Northern Ireland

 
13:00    Closing Remarks: Triona McCormack, Director of Research, UCD
 
13:00 to 14:00   Lunch for in person attendees


 

Agenda (Version at 05h12 ET 13 Sept)

ONE HEALTH PLENARY
09h00
Declan Kirrane, ISC, Chair Science Summit UNGA78
Seema Kumar, CEO, CURE

09h10 Keynote 1
Prof Dr. Damalie Nakanjako
Principal of the College of Health Sciences – Director of the network ADAPT, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

09h25 Keynote 2
Dr Ghada Trotabas, Managing Director UK and Ireland, Siemens Healthineers

09h40 PANEL 1
What does an enabling policy and regulatory framework for One Health look like, and how can it be achieved in time for the post-SDG Agenda?

Moderator
Brian Wong, WHO European Observatory on Health Systems & Policies and FIND Diagnostics
Panel
Dr Rita Lawlor, ARC-NET : Centre for Applied Research on Cancer
Mr Brian O'Connor, Chair, ECHAlliance
Prof Dr. Uwe Truyen, Director of the Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health – Co-Director of the network ADAPT, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
Josef
Prof Kurt Zatloukal, Medical University of Graz, Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular Biomedicine

10h15 Keynote
Dr. Sanjeev Khosla, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, India, Director (V)

10h30 PANEL 2
How can measures to achieve One Health be inclusive?
Moderator
Dr Magdalena Skipper
Panel
Dr Natasha Sunderji, Accenture
Dr Sharif Muhammad, ICESCO (V)
Dr Salome Charalambous, Implementation Research, The Aurum Institute Johannesburg, South Africa, Group Chief Science Officer – Director of the network TB Sequel


11h20 Break

11h30 Keynote 4
Dr Mosoka Fallah, Africa Center for Disease Control (V)

11h45 PANEL 3
Recommendations for the Summit of the Future

Moderator
Ms Rita Lawlor, ARC-Net, University of Verona
Panel
Dr Moses Aloba, Science for Africa
Dr Michael Makanga, EDCTP
Dr Marcel Tanner, Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences and EDCTP, President (V)
Dr Litha Magingxa, President and CEO, Agricultural research technologies for climate resilience (V)

12h30 Keynote 5: Reflections
Dr Irene Norstedt, Director, People Directorate, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission
12h40 Concluding Remarks:
Dr. Anna Stewart Ibarra

Agenda (Version at 05h12 ET 13 Sept)

ONE HEALTH PLENARY
09h00
Declan Kirrane, ISC, Chair Science Summit UNGA78
Seema Kumar, CEO, CURE

09h10 Keynote 1
Prof Dr. Damalie Nakanjako
Principal of the College of Health Sciences – Director of the network ADAPT, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

09h25 Keynote 2
Dr Ghada Trotabas, Managing Director UK and Ireland, Siemens Healthineers

09h40 PANEL 1
What does an enabling policy and regulatory framework for One Health look like, and how can it be achieved in time for the post-SDG Agenda?

Moderator
Prof Kurt Zatloukal, Medical University of Graz, Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular Biomedicine

Panel
Dr Rita Lawlor, ARC-NET : Centre for Applied Research on Cancer
Mr Brian O'Connor, Chair, ECHAlliance
Prof Dr. Uwe Truyen, Director of the Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health – Co-Director of the network ADAPT, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
Josef

10h15 Keynote
Dr. Sanjeev Khosla, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, India, Director (V)

10h30 PANEL 2
How can measures to achieve One Health be inclusive?

Moderator
Dr Magdalena Skipper

Panel
Dr Natasha Sunderji, Accenture
Dr Sharif Muhammad, ICESCO (V)
Dr Salome Charalambous, Implementation Research, The Aurum Institute Johannesburg, South Africa, Group Chief Science Officer – Director of the network TB Sequel
Dr Brian Wong I-DAIR

11h20 Break

11h30 Keynote 4
Dr Mosoka Fallah, Africa Center for Disease Control (V)

11h45 PANEL 3
Recommendations for the Summit of the Future

Moderator
Mrs Rita Lawlor, ARC-Net, University of Verona

Panel
Dr Moses Aloba, Science for Africa
Dr Michael Makanga, EDCTP
Dr Marcel Tanner, Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences and EDCTP, President (V)
Dr Litha Magingxa, President and CEO, Agricultural research technologies for climate resilience (V)

12h30 Keynote 5: Reflections
Dr Irene Norstedt, Director, People Directorate, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission

12h40 Concluding Remarks:
Dr Anna Stewart Ibarra

Session Overview:
The session "Exploring the Value of Living Labs in Co-Creation and Open Innovation Ecosystems within a Global Scale" at SSUNGA78 aims to delve into the dynamic realm of living labs and their pivotal role in driving co-creation and open innovation across diverse domains. Living labs, as real-world experimentation environments, have proven to be essential platforms for fostering collaboration, enabling rapid learning, and creating value for stakeholders. This session will uncover the unique potential of living labs to accelerate innovation, enhance stakeholder engagement, and contribute to sustainable development within the framework of co-creation and open innovation by serving as vital connectors between technology and human-centric societal goals, fostering collaborative solutions for the challenges of the digital era and supporting the attaining of the SDGs.
 Key Objectives:
 Unveiling Living Lab Principles: Understand the core principles that define living labs and their relevance as powerful tools for co-creation and open innovation.
 Showcasing Collaborative Potential: Explore how living labs create an ecosystem that brings together stakeholders from academia, industry, government, and civil society to collaboratively address complex challenges.
 Real-World Impact: Discover real-world case studies that highlight the tangible outcomes and transformative impact of living labs on innovation, learning, and sustainable development.
 Stakeholder Engagement: Discuss the critical role of stakeholder engagement within living labs and its significance in driving co-creation and open innovation processes.
Expected Outcomes:
 Participants in the session will gain a comprehensive understanding of how living labs serve as catalysts for co-creation and open innovation. By exploring real-world success stories and engaging with experts, attendees will take away insights on how to harness the potential of living labs to foster collaboration, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable outcomes.
Target Audience:
This session is tailored for individuals from academia, industry, government, research institutions, and civil society interested in understanding the transformative impact of living labs in co-creation and open innovation. Attendees seeking insights into collaborative methodologies, stakeholder engagement, and innovation ecosystems will find this session particularly relevant.
 Agenda
15:00-15:05 Welcome by the Organizer - Declan Kirrane Iscintielligence
15.05 - 15.15 Defining living labs and introducing their significance in fostering co-creation and open innovation
Evdokimos Kostantinins, Chiar at ENoLL. Martina Desole, Director ENoLL
15:15-15:30 Living Labs as research infrastructures for New way for Science
 Living Lab principles & methods in science diplomacy for rebuilding trust with underrepresented communities & improving decision-making efficiency.
Evdokimos Kostantinins, Chair at ENoLL, AUTH
15:30-15:45 The role of living labs in supporting innovative economic policies for Climate Change mitigation towards Zero pollution & ENoLL’s model of citizen-centric policymaking
 Valentino Piana, HES-SO - Lantern Project
 15.45-16.00 Living Labs enabling Open Innovation Communities & digital transition to improve readiness for sustainable and innovative urban mobility and logistics.
 Georgia Ayfantopoulou Research Director Center of Research & Technology Hellas, Coordinator of Thessaloniki Smart Mobility Living Lab (ThessM@LL)
16.00 -16.15 Living Labs as a social technology for global digital cooperation. The case of Living Labs project in Senegal between FDSUT and i2cat.
 Artur Serra, Director i2CAT Foundation
16.15 -16.30 Actively Engaging and Empowering Citizens through Citizen Science and Living Lab approaches. How Living Labs can help to develop a global healthcare research and innovation infrastructure after the COVID lessons?.
Panagiotis Bamidis Professor, Director, Medical Physics & Digital Innovation Lab, Aristotle University of ThessalonikiFounder, Thessaloniki Action for Health and Well-being Living Lab (ThessAHALL)
 16.30– 17.00 Round Table Discussion
How Living Labs are supporting the attaining of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and beyond?
Moderated by Martina Desole
ENoLL Director
17:00-17:15
Q&A and Conclusions
The Organizer:
European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL)
Founded in 2006 under the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, ENoLL is globally active to support and certify Living Labs. The role of living labs in advancing has been formally recognized by the IPCC, the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change, in their 2022 Climate Change Report: Global adoption of living lab methods can drive co-created solutions to existing problems by integrating scientific and expert knowledge with local knowledge and common values. The report has also formally recognized ENoLL’s model of open and citizen-centric innovation for policy-making globally.

In the world of change and progress, new needs emerge every day. In the past, changes used to happen for hundred or even thousands of years, with the advancement of technology each day we have been learning and participating in new things in our lives. There used to be a few important people in one region who changed the flow of life for long periods of time in the old days, but nowadays millions of people around the World from almost every city are able to change the flow of life and even the future of the world. The world is now globalized and change is very fast.
In our changing and developing world, there is even more need for women. But - unfortunately - the number of women working on technology still did not reach the desired level. This was clearly stated at the Gender and Innovation Meeting held in Brussels. 
“Gender aspects continue to play an important role in science education, conditioning study choices or shaping beliefs about one's own capacities and those of others.  Research has  shown that, globally, women  remain underrepresented  in  STEM not  only  as students, but also as teachers, researchers, and workers, resulting in a significant gender gap.
”“Research has shown that women aren't globally represented in STEM; as students even teachers researchers and workers, there is a large proportion of gender inequality " in society. It has also been noted that at the secondary school level, in STEM, female teachers have to work hard in terms of student achievement and gender inequality.  (“Gender and Innovation  Meeting” (European Schoolnet) -Brussels 2017 ).
There are a number of reasons why females are less likely to consider a career in tech. First, many females do not consider a tech career because it is not being put forward as one of the options they can take. The importance of science education stands out here.
For science education to be effective, it must be inclusive and should recognize how science teachers, scientists, families, and the community work together to achieve learning and teaching goals. Better funding for science education is needed to train more and better science teachers, especially women. Women scientists studying in universities or working in their chosen fields tend to be the focus of discussions about bridging the gender gap in science. But school science teachers are involved in training the next generation of scientists, so they should not be overlooked.
In many developing countries, female teachers become role models and play an essential role in attracting young women and girls into science— inspiring them and giving them confidence and strength to do better and achieve more in life. Every country stands to benefit greatly from training female teachers in effective teaching methods — and from an increase in the number of women who study and work in science.
In this session, we will discuss the education system in Turkey, gender equality in science education, girls' interest in science lessons and how it should be developed, and the contribution of STEM components to science lessons with expert academics and teachers.

In the world of change and progress, new needs emerge every day. In the past, changes used to happen for hundred or even thousands of years, with the advancement of technology each day we have been learning and participating in new things in our lives. There used to be a few important people in one region who changed the flow of life for long periods of time in the old days, but nowadays millions of people around the World from almost every city are able to change the flow of life and even the future of the world. The world is now globalized and change is very fast.
In our changing and developing world, there is even more need for women. But - unfortunately - the number of women working on technology still did not reach the desired level. This was clearly stated at the Gender and Innovation Meeting held in Brussels. 
“Gender aspects continue to play an important role in science education, conditioning study choices or shaping beliefs about one's own capacities and those of others.  Research has  shown that, globally, women  remain underrepresented  in  STEM not  only  as students, but also as teachers, researchers, and workers, resulting in a significant gender gap.
”“Research has shown that women aren't globally represented in STEM; as students even teachers researchers and workers, there is a large proportion of gender inequality " in society. It has also been noted that at the secondary school level, in STEM, female teachers have to work hard in terms of student achievement and gender inequality.  (“Gender and Innovation  Meeting” (European Schoolnet) -Brussels 2017 ).
There are a number of reasons why females are less likely to consider a career in tech. First, many females do not consider a tech career because it is not being put forward as one of the options they can take. The importance of science education stands out here.
For science education to be effective, it must be inclusive and should recognize how science teachers, scientists, families, and the community work together to achieve learning and teaching goals. Better funding for science education is needed to train more and better science teachers, especially women. Women scientists studying in universities or working in their chosen fields tend to be the focus of discussions about bridging the gender gap in science. But school science teachers are involved in training the next generation of scientists, so they should not be overlooked.
In many developing countries, female teachers become role models and play an essential role in attracting young women and girls into science— inspiring them and giving them confidence and strength to do better and achieve more in life. Every country stands to benefit greatly from training female teachers in effective teaching methods — and from an increase in the number of women who study and work in science.
In this session, we will discuss the education system in Turkey, gender equality in science education, girls' interest in science lessons and how it should be developed, and the contribution of STEM components to science lessons with expert academics and teachers.

Ireland Day led by University College Dublin as part of the Science Summit at UNGA78 brings international experts together at the Irish Permanent Mission to the United Nations to discuss the important role of research and collaboration in attaining the UN SDGs and examine how Ireland is contributing to these global objectives in Achieving Sustainable and Equitable Food Systems, Deliberative Democracies and Health Cooperation Post Conflict.

Our current food systems fall short in meeting the necessary economic, social, and environmental requirements for ensuring food security and nutrition for everyone. They face urgent and complex challenges, both locally and globally. Our food supplies are constantly disrupted by extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, floods, droughts, and conflicts. 

World leaders participating in the UN Food System Summit in October 2021, reached a consensus: a radical transformation of our food system is necessary to achieve the SDGs by 2030 and effectively tackle the interconnected challenges of climate change, malnutrition, and obesity.

Two years later and two years closer to the 2030 deadline, where are we on the sustainable food systems transformation journey? What’s working, what’s not and what can we learn from each other? Ireland is known for being the “green island”, a traditional farming and food production system that lies at the heart of an indigenous agri-food economy with food being one of our greatest exports. How can answering the question about how we transform our own system and the difficulties we face help us and help others globally facing similar challenges? Our panel of leading experts will address how we find a sustainable, equitable food system that can feed people and the planet.

The increase in landslides is a direct consequence of extreme weather events, as well as poorly planned anthropic interventions in the territory. For this reason, the United Nations promotes the development and implementation of Landslide Early Warning Systems - EWS, in order to contribute to the reduction of fatalities to these events.
The exchange of experiences is key to identify the most appropriate way to implement a EWS in different territories. The LandAware multidisciplinary network was created to meet this need.
LandAware is a non-profit, voluntary, multidisciplinary network that unites scientists from multiple sectors (academia, government, communities, social organizations) interested in the development and implementation of Early Warning Systems (EWS) for landslides. The main purpose of LandAware is to share experiences, needs and innovations, as well as to develop and promote guidelines and best practices for the future EWS, whether regional or local. The actions of the network are carried out by means of work groups that operate based on predetermined work objectives. Currently there are about 292 members from 52 countries.
In this session we will present generalities of the network, and examples of some of the EWS in the Latin American region. We will close the session with a discussion forum where the speakers will discuss which are the biggest challenges incurred in the implementation of EWS in the Latin American region.
The aims of this session include:
- Present examples of EWS operational or in the experimental phase.
- Promote sharing and integration of methods, technologies and communication between the different institutions in the región
- Strengthen scientific collaboration between EWS specialists in the region.
- Invite other actors working on EWS in the region to join LandAware network

The session aims to convene experts from various fields such as researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and practitioners to share their experiences and insights on how sustainable infrastructure development and technology innovation can help combat climate change.

With climate change presenting challenges that require urgent action, it is essential to understand infrastructure that is resilient and can withstand its impact. Fortunately, technology has facilitated the growth of the infrastructure industry, offering solutions to some of the most daunting challenges it faces.

The session will explore how sustainable infrastructure and technology innovation can contribute to building a more resilient future.

Introduction and aims

The Acanthamoeba parasite is a global problem, and understanding its epidemiology and pathogenesis is crucial for intervention and prevention. This discussion aims to explore treatment strategies, trends in dissemination, diagnosis techniques, personalized treatment approaches, and genetic diversity, and raise awareness about the global impact of Acanthamoeba infections.

Abstract

This panel brings together a distinguished panel of international researchers and experts to shed light on the global problem of the Acanthamoeba parasite and explore potential solutions for better health outcomes. The researchers will present their latest findings, share experiences, and discuss challenges in combating this parasite.

Prof. Veeranoot Nissapatorn from Wailailak University, Thailand, will provide valuable insights into the epidemiology and pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba infections, highlighting critical areas for intervention and prevention.

Prof. Rachasak Boonhok) from Walailak University, Thailand, will present groundbreaking research on novel treatment strategies, the development of effective therapeutic interventions, and current trends in the parasite’s dissemination.

Prof. ML Pereira will address current tools for diagnosing this parasite, including microscopy.

Dr Tooba Mahboob from UCSI University, Malaysia, will contribute her expertise in diagnosing and managing Acanthamoeba-related diseases, focusing on advancements in diagnostic techniques and personalized treatment approaches, including nanotechnology.

Prof. Naveed Ahmed Khan from the University of Sharjah, UAE, will provide further insights to explore public health awareness measures and their effectiveness.

Additionally, we will have MSc candidate Diana Mendonça sharing her fresh perspectives and innovative ideas on treatment strategies using plant extracts.

Through their collective expertise, the panellists aim to raise awareness about the Acanthamoeba menace, discuss the global impact of Acanthamoeba infections, identify research gaps, and discuss the importance of fostering collaborations to tackle this public and global concern more effectively.

Ireland Day led by University College Dublin as part of the Science Summit at UNGA78 brings
international experts together at the Irish Permanent Mission to the United Nations to discuss the
important role of research and collaboration in attaining the UN SDGs and examine how Ireland is
contributing to these global objectives in Achieving Sustainable and Equitable Food Systems,
Deliberative Democracies and Health Cooperation Post Conflict.

Prof. David Farrell, Chair of Politics, University College Dublin and Chair of the European Consortium
for Political Research in conversation with Tom Arnold, Chair of the Convention on the Constitution
in Ireland and moderated by Triona McCormack, Director of Research, University College Dublin.

Citizens assemblies are becoming an increasingly well-used approach across the globe and many countries are making significant advances in further developing the model – with great success. In Ireland the citizens’ assembly is an effective tool bringing the public into debates surrounding constitutional and political reform. When used correctly, they can be a powerful tool for change.
Ireland is seen as a trailblazer in this space underpinning referenda linked to significant constitutional change such as marriage equality as well as a national policy on biodiversity.

In a conversation with Tom Arnold, Chair of the Convention on the Constitution in Ireland, Prof. David Farrell, Chair of Politics in University College Dublin will share insights from the genesis of this project in Ireland, moderated by Triona McCormack, Director of Research, University College Dublin.
Linked to the 2008 financial and economic meltdown and the resulting anger over failings in the Irish political system he worked with a group of political scientists proposing that citizens should be brought into the heart of debates over constitutional and political reforms to improve how Ireland’s representative system of democracy operates.

Persuaded by the case made, the Irish Government established the Irish Constitutional Convention (2012-14) and Ireland developed its model of deliberative democracy to develop citizens’ assemblies on important topics like biodiversity and gender equality. Tom Arnold, Chair of the Convention on the Constitution in Ireland will join David in also discussing what this approach can tell us about how to drive policy and legislative change in our
societies, particularly in the face of challenges to trust and truth at the heart of the global social system. They will also highlight learnings from other models of deliberative democracies taking shape internationally and reflect on the significance for democracy of processes like this.

Ireland Day led by University College Dublin as part of the Science Summit at UNGA78 78th brings international experts together at the Irish Permanent Mission to the United Nations to discuss the important role of research and collaboration in attaining the UN SDGs and examine how Ireland is contributing to these global objectives in Achieving Sustainable and Equitable Food Systems, Deliberative Democracies and Health Cooperation Post Conflict.
 
The Good Friday Agreement, 25 years ago, ended decades of conflict that caused thousands to lose their lives and embedded deep divisions among the people of Northern Ireland. The Agreement was signed by the governments of the UK and the Republic of Ireland and was guaranteed by the US Government. Resulting from the Agreement a partnership was signed between the Departments of Health for Northern Ireland, Ireland and the US National Cancer Institute giving rise to the Ireland-Northern Ireland - National Cancer Institute Cancer Consortium with the aim of reducing cancer incidence and mortality on the island of Ireland through cross-border and transatlantic collaborations in cancer research and education.

Since then the consortium has enabled over 30,000 cancer patients to be enrolled in clinical trials, gaining access to the latest cancer treatments and therapies, with thousands of lives saved and over 550 cancer professionals have been trained to diagnose and treat cancer. The panel will discuss how this collaboration has opened up other health partnerships across the island of Ireland demonstrating the constructive dynamic fostering innovation and collaboration arising post conflict and 25 years after the Good Friday Agreement look towards the future to discuss what’s possible next.

Objectives
This session aims to open a space for discussion to reflect on the multiple dimensions - economic, social, cultural, symbolic - encompassed by the concept of Climate Justice from a Latin American perspective. We will focus on different experiences, challenges, and opportunities that this concept presents to rethink the importance of cultural and epistemological diversity and the promotion of greater integration between science and traditional knowledge to move towards a more just and sustainable world.
Summary
The concept of Climate Justice serves as a catalyst for a set of demands and claims made by countries in the Global South, within the context of the historical responsibilities that the Global North holds in the current climate and environmental crisis. Climate justice entails multiple meanings linked to economic, social, cultural, and symbolic dimensions, often involving different interpretations depending on the different social sectors, whether they are scientific, political, indigenous communities, local communities, or society at large.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, discussions about climate justice revolve around ethical-political issues that are intertwined with discussions about social justice, extended participation, the self-determination of peoples to make decisions in their own territories, and the rights of Mother Earth.
In countries like Bolivia and Ecuador, the recognition of Mother Earth as a subject of rights has been constitutionally established, and legitimacy has been given to alternative worldviews to occidental development, such as Suma Qamaña and Sumaj Kawsay. In Argentina, Chile, and Peru, with varying nuances and particularities, efforts are being made to include indigenous communities in broader political discussions and even create legal frameworks that incorporate indigenous perspectives in political and scientific processes. However, these efforts maintain different levels of scope to achieve substancial transformations towards a transition to a more just and equitable world, both for humans and Mother Earth.
This landscape presents several challenges in terms of adapting institutional frameworks to effectively include the knowledge, wisdom, and practices of indigenous peoples as sources of alternatives and resistance to Western paradigms of development and progress. Likewise, the creation of alliances, collaborations, and connections between the sphere of politics, science, and communities still faces significant barriers to build legitimate dialogues that allows addressing the environmental crisis together.
The following session continues a debate that began at the Sustainability, Research and Innovation Congress, - SRI 2023 - held in June in Panama and aims to provide a space for discussion to reflect on the multiple facets - economic, social, cultural, symbolic - encompassed by the concept of Climate Justice from a Latin American perspective. We will focus on different experiences, challenges, and opportunities that this concept presents to rethink the importance of cultural and epistemological diversity and the promotion of greater integration between science and ancestral knowledge to move towards a more just and sustainable world.
 
Expected outcomes: 
 
The following session continues a debate that began at the Sustainability, Research and Innovation Congress- SRI 2023 - held in June in Panama and the session on Intercultural Dialogues for Science at SUNGA 77. The aim is to deepen the discussions and exchange knowledge and experiences among the speakers and the audience.
Rethinking the multiple implications of the concept of climate justice from a Latin American perspective.
Discussing the multiple challenges and opportunities that this concept presents in terms of cultural and epistemological diversity, through the presentation of different national and regional experiences.
Promoting greater integration between science and traditional knowledge to move towards a more just and sustainable world.

An evening of storytelling from researchers working at the forefront of SDGs 5, 7 and 10, brought together by Springer Nature and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).

This special Science Summit edition of Springer Nature Storytellers, in partnership with SDSN,  highlights the personal stories of researchers and their work in areas relating to Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), with added insights into Gender Equality (SDG 5) and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10). 

Inspirational, captivating, and definitely surprising, you will hear about the experiences of experts on the cutting edge of their respective fields, who have been specially trained for this event by The Story Collider. 

Our speakers will explore topics related to social justice, the role of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and consider the post-SDG agenda.
The event will be hosted by Laura Helmuth, Editor-in-Chief of Scientific American, and there will be a chance for you to ask your questions during the Q&A panel.

Our Storytellers will be:

• Dr. Naaborle Sackeyfio, Associate Professor Global and Intercultural Studies, Miami University.
• Dr. Jennifer Russell, Assistant Professor in Sustainable Biomaterials, Virginia Tech. 
• Dr. Kathleen J. Hancock, Associate Professor of Political Science, Colorado School of Mines.
• Alice Wu, Senior Associate, Science Policy, Federation of American Scientists.
• Amy Myers Jaffe, Research Professor and Director of the Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab, Center on Global Affairs, New York University.

An evening of storytelling from researchers working at the forefront of SDGs 5, 7 and 10, brought together by Springer Nature and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).

This special Science Summit edition of Springer Nature Storytellers, in partnership with SDSN,  highlights the personal stories of researchers and their work in areas relating to Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), with added insights into Gender Equality (SDG 5) and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10). 

Inspirational, captivating, and definitely surprising, you will hear about the experiences of experts on the cutting edge of their respective fields, who have been specially trained for this event by The Story Collider. 

Our speakers will explore topics related to social justice, the role of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and consider the post-SDG agenda.

The event will be hosted by Laura Helmuth, Editor-in-Chief of Scientific American, and there will be a chance for you to ask your questions during the Q&A panel.

Our Storytellers will be:

• Dr. Naaborle Sackeyfio, Associate Professor Global and Intercultural Studies, Miami University.
• Dr. Jennifer Russell, Assistant Professor in Sustainable Biomaterials, Virginia Tech. 
• Dr. Kathleen J. Hancock, Associate Professor of Political Science, Colorado School of Mines.
• Alice Wu, Senior Associate, Science Policy, Federation of American Scientists.
• Amy Myers Jaffe, Research Professor and Director of the Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab, Center on Global Affairs, New York University.

Growing ideas through global networking 
Ahead of the the Expanding scientific frontiers via international cooperation and networking on the 15/09 (see the SSUNGA78 program) COST is organizing a networking social event that will take place on the 13th of September evening from 17:30 to 19:30 in New York.
The social event is a great opportunity to meet and learn about and international scientific networking supported the COST Programand meet the COST Action representatives whose work and achievements directly contributed to UN objectives.
The COST Actions present at the event:

• COST Action International Network to Encourage the Use of Monitoring and Forecasting Dust Products (InDust). This COST Action ended in November 2021 was a precursor to manage and mitigate the effects of sand and dust storms also resulting in the UN General Assembly declaring 12 July the International Day of Combating Dust Storms – represented by Dr Slobodan Nickovic, the Action Vice Chair.
• COST Action International Interdisciplinary Network on Smart Healthy Age-friendly Environments (NET4AGE-FRIENDLY), recognized as good practice in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. NET4Age-Friendly, recognized by the United Nations as a good practice! – represented by Ms Carina Dantas, the Action Chair. 
• COST Action Marine Animal Forest of the world (MAF-WORLD) has been officially endorsed by the UN Decade of the Ocean Program as a UN Ocean Decade Action Marine Animal Forest of the World endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade - Ocean Decade – represented by Dr Sergio Rossi, the Action Chair.  
• The COST Action Globalization, Illicit Trade, Sustainability and Security (GLITSS), initiated in 2022, aims to size this moment to engage with relevant UN stakeholders, led by Prof Aleksandar Marsavelski, Action co-Vice Chair. This collaboration aims to enhance comprehension of strategies for combating illicit trade.

If you are interested to participate, please express your interest at COST-NSF session at the Science Summit around the 78th United Nations General Assembly - COST as attendance will be possible by invitation only due to limited capacity
Additional information
Science Summit at UN General Assembly – Science Summit at the 78 United Nation General Assembly (sciencesummitunga.com)
COST-NSF session at the Science Summit around the 78th United Nations General Assembly - COST

The state of Africa’s livestock agriculture and its vulnerability to climate risk is an ongoing matter of importance, not only for the continent but also for the global world. Climate change is a reality that will result in higher temperatures and more extreme events such as droughts, floods, higher temperatures and more heat waves, which will affect the wellbeing and stability on the continent and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. In the case of livestock in tropical and sub-tropical African countries this will result in (1) a decrease in production (meat and milk), (2) lower fertility (in both males and females) that will affect reproduction, (2) more diseases, especially the host transmittable diseases and (4) lower quality of the grazing. In these African countries, climate change represents a feedback-loop in which livestock production both contributes to climate change and suffers from the consequences. That is why adaptation, resilience and mitigation strategies are critical for sustainability.  This is in contrast to developed countries in temperate regions where the focus is mainly on mitigation.
This session will highlight some of the climate-smart approaches, food production systems and climate responses that are essential in terms of required actions/interventions from the United Nations and at a global level to prioritize agricultural research and involvement of farmers in terms of agenda setting and related investments.
The speakers will highlight the need for evidence-based decisions around complex issues related to climate change, with relevant indicators. Therefore, science becomes a fundamental part to enhance resilience of people, production and food systems. This makes relationships between scientists, collaborating regions, farmers and farmer’s organizations important.

Programme (2h30min)

• Opening remarks (5 min): Dr Andrew Magadlela (Group Executive: Animal Sciences, ARC); 
• Welcome and Introduction (10 min): Prof Azwihangwisi Maiwashe (General Manager: ARC-Animal Production); 
• Presentation (20 min): Dr. Ackim Mwape (New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre);  Overview of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases and partnerships in Africa.
• Presentation (20 min) - Dr Claudia Arndt (ILRI, Kenia);  Current State of Research on Livestock GHG Emissions and Mitigation in Sub-Saharan Africa;
• Presentation (20 min): Prof Michiel Scholtz: (ARC-Animal Production, South Africa),  Climate-smart research: Current and planned projects, challenges and opportunities for southern-Africa.
• Presentation (15 min): Dr Sithembile Ndemi Mwamakamba (FANRPAN); Analysis of policy for climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Presentation (15 min): Ms Minky Groenewald (Eswatini);. An overview of NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) in southern African and the role of farmers organizations
• Panel discussion (20 min): Prof Mahlako Makgahlela (Research Team Manager: Animal Breeding and Genetics, ARC-Animal Production), 
• Closure (10 min): Prof Mahlako Makgahlela (Research Team Manager: Animal Breeding and Genetics, ARC-Animal Production)

The state of Africa’s agriculture, and its vulnerability to climate risk are an ongoing matter of importance, not only for the continent but the global world. Climate change related hazards such as drought, shifting patterns of pests and diseases incidence impact wellbeing and stability on the continent and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals. Agricultural Research and Innovation plays a pivotal role in developing climate resilient food systems, and enabling Africa to reduce the agricultural productivity gap and deliver on the SDGs. Despite the pivotal role of agricultural science, investments in research have declined over time, and in Africa, most of the countries are not able to meet their commitments for investment in agriculture. Amidst many international competing priorities such as geo-political peace and security tensions, migration, communicable diseases and technological hazards, there is need to amplify voices for agricultural research investments across the globe.
The session will highlight some of the key scientific innovations emerging from Agricultural Research & Innovation, and share best practices in closing the science-policy and science-practice gaps to deal with the challenges of climate change and food systems. Key priorities to accelerate the science-led climate resilient food systems in Africa will be identified and speakers will highlight the required actions/interventions from a UN and global level to prioritize agricultural research in terms of agenda setting and related investments.

Programme (2h5min)

• Opening remarks (5mins)- Petronella Chaminuka 
• Presentation (15 mins)- Dr Litha Magingxa- Agricultural research technologies for climate resilience 
• Presentation (10mins) –Dr Rose Omari (Coordinating the development and adoption of the national policy for aflatoxin control in food and feed in Ghana.)
• Presentation (10mins)- Triona Mccormack (Ireland’s experience in Sustainable Food and Agriculture) 
• Q&A discussion- 10 mins
•  Panel discussion (60 mins)- How do we close the science-policy and science-practice gaps and prioritisation of agricultural research in the post SDG agenda for climate resilience and sustainable food systems? 
• Influencing policy through evidence (Triona Mccormack (PhD), University College Dublin) 
• Gendered perspectives- Mariamme Maiga (PhD)- Regional Gender and Social Development Adviser at  West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF)- 
• Meeting bread and butter needs through science- Michael Bairu (PhD), Agricultural Research Council)
• Prof A Mushunje- Developing capacities for science- University of Fort Hare, South Africa 
• Genna Tesdall- Young Professionals for Agricultural Development 
• Summary and closing remarks (10mins)- Petronella Chaminuka

VENUE LOCATION
CURE, 345 Park Ave South, New York.
Pay attention to the S-O-U-T-H part, otherwise you will be very lost.

Pandemic Preparedness: Defining the UN-level strategy for the Summit of the Future 2024 with the National Research Foundation, South Africa

Agenda (at 04h28EDT, Thursday 14 September 2023)

08h25 Welcome
Declan Kirrane, Chairman, Science Summit at UNGA78
Seema Kumar, CEO, CURE


08h30 PANEL 1 -- Scene Setting
Petra Jantzer, Life Sciences Global Lead, Accenture (Mod)
Marc Carrel-Billiard, Technology Innovation Global Lead, Accenture
Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, CEO, National Research Foundation, South Africa (V)
Johan Aubert, Chief Digital Officer, Research and Innovation L'Oreal
Hillel Lehmann, Vice President, Head of Transformation & Long-term Strategy, Nestlé Health Sciences
Rob Goodwin, Senior Vice President, Clinical Development and Operations, Pfizer


10h00 PANEL 2 Global Challenges Response
Kurt Zatloukal, Medical University Graz, Austria (Mod)
Magdalena Skipper, Editor-in-Chief, Nature, UK
Seema Kumar, CURE by Deerfield, USA
Osamu Kunii, Global Health Innovative Technology Fund, Japan (V)
Vinay K. Nandicoori Director, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

11h00 Keynote: Aunkh Chabalala, National Director of the Indigenous Knowledge-Based Technology Innovation Unit Dept of Science and Innovation, South Africa

11h15 Break

11h30 PANEL 3 100 Days Mission Panel: The Science of Access to Medical Countermeasures for Pandemic Preparedness

Moderator: Lidia Borrell-Damian, Secretary-General, ScienceEurope

As shown during the response to COVID-19, the faster we can develop safe, effective and affordable diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines (DTVs) for an escalating infectious disease, the more lives we can save.
The goal of the 100 Days Mission is to prepare as much as possible so that within the first 100 days that a pandemic threat is identified, the following interventions can be made available, safe, effective, and affordable:

Accurate and approved rapid point-of-care diagnostic tests
An initial regimen of therapeutics
Vaccines ready to be produced at scale for global deployment

In 2021, G7 and G20 Leaders welcomed the 100 Days Mission, building on the collaborative scientific efforts which led to the development of DTVs for COVID-19. The 1st 100 Days Mission report was authored by scientific, governmental and industry experts drawn from within and beyond the G7. It proposed 25 recommendations to harness scientific innovation and strengthen public and private collaboration that will reduce the time from discovery to deployment of DTVs within 100 days of the next pandemic threat.

Panel Concept: This session will discuss the following:
Background to the 100 Days Mission, its connection to the wider SDG agenda, and its value proposition for a safer world through scientific innovation to condense timelines and equitable access to countermeasures.
The learnings from COVID-19 and the policy solutions that underpin the 100 Days Mission
How upcoming political processes, including UNHLM on PPR and INB/IHR processes, will support this work, and how other opportunities, including a new MCM network and G7 and G20 presidencies, can make the 100 Days Mission a reality

11h30 - 11h35 Welcome: Dr Victor Dzau (President of the National Academy of Medicine and STEG co-chair) and Dr Rick A Bright (Former Director of BARDA, FIND board member)

11h35 - 11h45 Opening Remarks: Introduction to the 100 Days Mission and Science and Technology Expert Group (STEG) by Dr Victor Dzau (President of the National Academy of Medicine and STEG co-chair)


11h45 - 12h10 Panellist Remarks: 5-minute interventions from
Dr Nicole Lurie (US Director, CEPI), Shingai Machingaidze (Ag. Chief Science Officer, Africa CDC),
Dr Rick A Bright (Former Director of BARDA, FIND Board Member)
and
Dr Ruxandra Draghia-Akli (V) (Global Head, Johnson & Johnson Global Public Health R&D), on the global lessons captured from COVID-19 for pandemic preparedness R&D and the recommendations for ensuring countermeasures can deliver equity and innovation, with sustainable financial and political will.

12h10-12h45 Moderated Q&A between attendees and panellists

12h45-12h55 Closing Remarks: Global political opportunities for implementing the recommendations by Dr Mariângela Simão (Former WHO Assistant Director-General for Drug Access Vaccines and Pharmaceuticals)

12h55-13h00 Goodbyes: Dr Victor Dzau (President of the National Academy of Medicine and STEG co-chair) and Dr Rick A Bright (Former Director of BARDA, FIND Board Member)

13h00 Lunch (by Invitation)

14h00 Keynote: Policy Responses
Irene Norstedt, European Commission, Belgium:
Petra Jantzer Global Life Sciences Lead & Senior Managing Director, Accenture


14h45 PANEL 4 -- Harnessing Indigenous knowledge systems to combat diseases of poverty
Magdalena Skipper, Editor-in-Chief, Nature, UK Moderator
Mosoka Fallah, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Refuge Place International
Thomas John, Chief Strategy Officer, Landcent
Michael Makanga, European Developing Countries Clinical Trails Programme
Aunkh Chabalala, National Director of the Indigenous Knowledge-Based Technology Innovation Unit, Dept of Science and Innovation. South Africa
Peter Atadja, Chief Scientific Advisor, Landcent

15h45 PANEL 5 -- Building Communities of Practice for Interpandemic Sciences in Africa – Science for Africa Foundation
Moses Alobo, Science for Africa Foundation
Thomas Kariuki, CEO, Science for Africa Foundation, Kenya
Jinal Bhiman Global Immunology and Immune Sequencing for Epidemic Response South Africa (GIISER-SA), NICD
Christian Happi, Redeemers University, Nigeria

16h30 Recommendation for the Summit of the Future and Concluding Panel
Triona McCormack, UCD, Ireland - Moderator:
Alison Derbenwick Miller, Oracle
Brian O'Connor, Chairman, ECHAlliance
Carlos Americo Pacheco, FAPESP
Josef Glößl, BOKU, Austria

VENUE LOCATION
CURE, 345 Park Ave South, New York.
Pay attention to the S-O-U-T-H part, otherwise you will be very lost.

Pandemic Preparedness: Defining the UN-level strategy for the Summit of the Future 2024 with the National Research Foundation, South Africa

Agenda (at 04h28EDT, Thursday 14 September 2023)

08h25 Welcome
Declan Kirrane, Chairman, Science Summit at UNGA78
Seema Kumar, CEO, CURE


08h30 PANEL 1 -- Scene Setting
Petra Jantzer, Life Sciences Global Lead, Accenture (Mod)
Marc Carrel-Billiard, Technology Innovation Global Lead, Accenture
Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, CEO, National Research Foundation, South Africa (V)
Johan Aubert, Chief Digital Officer, Research and Innovation L'Oreal
Hillel Lehmann, Vice President, Head of Transformation & Long-term Strategy, Nestlé Health Sciences
Rob Goodwin, Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer


10h00 PANEL 2 Global Challenges Response
Kurt Zatloukal, Medical University Graz, Austria (Mod)
Magdalena Skipper, Editor-in-Chief, Nature, UK
Seema Kumar, CURE by Deerfield, USA
Osamu Kunii, Global Health Innovative Technology Fund, Japan (V)

11h00 Keynote: Aunkh Chabalala, National Director of the Indigenous Knowledge-Based Technology Innovation Unit Dept of Science and Innovation, South Africa

11h15 Break

11h30 PANEL 3 100 Days Mission Panel: The Science of Access to Medical Countermeasures for Pandemic Preparedness

Moderator: Lidia Borrell-Damian, Secretary-General, ScienceEurope

As shown during the response to COVID-19, the faster we can develop safe, effective and affordable diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines (DTVs) for an escalating infectious disease, the more lives we can save.
The goal of the 100 Days Mission is to prepare as much as possible so that within the first 100 days that a pandemic threat is identified, the following interventions can be made available, safe, effective, and affordable:

Accurate and approved rapid point-of-care diagnostic tests
An initial regimen of therapeutics
Vaccines ready to be produced at scale for global deployment

In 2021, G7 and G20 Leaders welcomed the 100 Days Mission, building on the collaborative scientific efforts which led to the development of DTVs for COVID-19. The 1st 100 Days Mission report was authored by scientific, governmental and industry experts drawn from within and beyond the G7. It proposed 25 recommendations to harness scientific innovation and strengthen public and private collaboration that will reduce the time from discovery to deployment of DTVs within 100 days of the next pandemic threat.

Panel Concept: This session will discuss the following:
Background to the 100 Days Mission, its connection to the wider SDG agenda, and its value proposition for a safer world through scientific innovation to condense timelines and equitable access to countermeasures.
The learnings from COVID-19 and the policy solutions that underpin the 100 Days Mission
How upcoming political processes, including UNHLM on PPR and INB/IHR processes, will support this work, and how other opportunities, including a new MCM network and G7 and G20 presidencies, can make the 100 Days Mission a reality

11h30 - 11h35 Welcome: Dr Victor Dzau (President of the National Academy of Medicine and STEG co-chair) and Dr Rick A Bright (Former Director of BARDA, FIND board member)

11h35 - 11h45 Opening Remarks: Introduction to the 100 Days Mission and Science and Technology Expert Group (STEG) by Dr Victor Dzau (President of the National Academy of Medicine and STEG co-chair)


11h45 - 12h10 Panellist Remarks: 5-minute interventions from
Dr Nicole Lurie (US Director, CEPI), Shingai Machingaidze (Ag. Chief Science Officer, Africa CDC),
Dr Rick A Bright (Former Director of BARDA, FIND Board Member)
and
Dr Ruxandra Draghia-Akli (V) (Global Head, Johnson & Johnson Global Public Health R&D), on the global lessons captured from COVID-19 for pandemic preparedness R&D and the recommendations for ensuring countermeasures can deliver equity and innovation, with sustainable financial and political will.

12h10-12h45 Moderated Q&A between attendees and panellists

12h45-12h55 Closing Remarks: Global political opportunities for implementing the recommendations by Dr Mariângela Simão (Former WHO Assistant Director-General for Drug Access Vaccines and Pharmaceuticals)

12h55-13h00 Goodbyes: Dr Victor Dzau (President of the National Academy of Medicine and STEG co-chair) and Dr Rick A Bright (Former Director of BARDA, FIND Board Member)

13h00 Lunch (by Invitation)

14h00 Keynote: Policy Responses
Irene Norstedt, European Commission, Belgium:


14h45 PANEL 4 -- Harnessing Indigenous knowledge systems to combat diseases of poverty
Magdalena Skipper, Editor-in-Chief, Nature, UK Moderator
Mosoka Fallah, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Refuge Place International
Thomas John, Landcent
Michael Makanga, European Developing Countries Clinical Trails Programme
Aunkh Chabalala, National Director of the Indigenous Knowledge-Based Technology Innovation Unit, Dept of Science and Innovation. South Africa
Peter Atadja, Chief Scientific Advisor, Landcent

15h45 PANEL 5 -- Building Communities of Practice for Interpandemic Sciences in Africa – Science for Africa Foundation
Thomas Kariuki, CEO, Science for Africa Foundation, Kenya
Jinal Bhiman Global Immunology and Immune Sequencing for Epidemic Response South Africa (GIISER-SA), NICD
Christian Happi, Redeemers University, Nigeria

16h30 Recommendation for the Summit of the Future and Concluding Panel
Triona McCormack, UCD, Ireland - Moderator:
Alison Derbenwick Miller, Oracle, USA
Carlos Americo Pacheco, FAPESP
Josef Glößl, BOKU, Austria

Pandemic preparedness is vital for protecting public health, maintaining economic stability, ensuring global health security, strengthening healthcare systems, fostering scientific advancements, reducing risks, and engaging communities. By investing in preparedness, we can minimise the impact of pandemics and build a more resilient world as a key pillar of SDG 3.

The world's response to the COVID-19 pandemic revealed significant shortcomings in global public health emergency preparedness. Particularly in Africa, access to vaccines was unavailable, highlighting the need for better pandemic prediction and prevention. Vaccine hesitancy underscored the importance of engaging all sectors of society. Africa's experience with HIV/AIDS and TB epidemics provided valuable expertise and infrastructure for the COVID-19 response. However, funding shortages and the far-reaching impact of COVID-19 necessitate the establishment of a multi-sectoral entity to strengthen disease control stra

Artificial intelligence is a game-changer, poised to accelerate our journey towards achieving the SDGs. Omdena stands at the forefront of this movement with its "AI for Impact" platform, having rolled out over 500 solutions spanning all 17 SDGs. These solutions, a combination of AI and local chapter initiatives, tackle intricate societal challenges. During this 30-minute panel, we'll delve deep into the might of grassroots AI initiatives, undertaken in tandem with esteemed organizations such as Catholic Relief Services, AI for Peace, Save the Children, UNICEF, and many more.
Panel Discussion Topics:

• Introduction: Grassroots AI and the concept of bottom-up collaboration
• Our panellists: Our distinguished panelists will impart their profound experiences and observations related to grassroots AI undertakings.
• The Supremacy of Bottom-up Approaches: A comprehensive examination as to why, in numerous circumstances, grassroots methodologies supersede top-down paradigms.
• Community Engagement in AI Development: The indispensability of community involvement in shaping AI endeavors and the subsequent societal impacts.
• Addressing Bias through Grassroots AI: A scrutiny into how grassroots AI initiatives can serve as a bulwark against inherent biases.
• Case Study Exposition: An analytical presentation of pragmatic case studies focusing on the pressing challenges of hate speech, misinformation dissemination, poverty alleviation, and more.
• Attributes of an Exemplary AI Developer: An elucidation of the qualities, skills, and mindset that define a proficient AI developer in today's evolving landscape.
• Strategies for Civil Societies and UN Organizations: A guided pathway on how these entities can take definitive action, leverage AI solutions, and collaborate efficiently in the AI realm to magnify their impact.