Secretary-General, in Message to Festival of Science, Says Balance between New Technologies, Indigenous Knowledge Can Drive Innovation, Creativity

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the Festival of Science, in Genoa, Italy, today:

I am pleased to convey my greetings to all those gathered in Genoa to take part in the Festival of Science.  I commend your theme of “balance” — balance is precisely the goal that must guide our efforts to strengthen the linkages between science and society.

The world faces a vast array of challenges — deepening inequalities, enduring conflict and rising pressure on our planet as a result of climate change.  Science holds key solutions to mobilize societies in pursuit of more sustainable and just development, in harmony with the planet.  In order to meet our goals, we need more scientists and researchers.  Let us do more to support science education and encourage young men and especially women to pursue scientific careers.

We need all peoples and communities to contribute to creating and sharing knowledge.  This must include striking a new balance between access to new technologies and making the most of local and indigenous knowledge to catalyse new dynamics of innovation and creativity.

We need tighter links between science and policy, to support decision-makers in shaping informed policies, drawing on better data.  We also need a new balance in the ethics of scientific innovation, to ensure that progress works for the benefit of all, in respect of human rights and dignity and in the spirit of cooperation and solidarity.

To help advance all of these efforts, world leaders have adopted the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  This comprehensive framework of sustainable development goals recognizes that science, technology and innovation are essential drivers for human rights and development around the world.

Thank you for your leadership and commitment to deepen scientific knowledge and in the process help build a better world for all.