Deputy Secretary-General, Addressing Global Funders Forum, Hails ‘Inspiring’ Efforts to Marshal Power of Science against Most Pressing Challenges

(Delayed for technical reasons.)

Following is the text of UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s video message to the Second Global Forum of Funders — Missions for Science to Enable a Prosperous Future for All:  Building Global Funding Alliances — hosted by the International Science Council on 26 April:

I thank the International Science Council and all the organizers of this forum for the invitation.  I welcome your efforts to support the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.

As science funders, you are all aware of the far-reaching consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The social, economic and health impacts of the pandemic have upended lives everywhere, with particularly devastating consequences for the world’s poorest and most marginalized people.

From massive job losses to school closures to acute food insecurity, the impacts of the crisis have set back our work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs] — and underscored how essential that work is.

Reaching the Goals by 2030 requires continuous hard work and global coordinated action.  It is inspiring to see so many efforts under way — including forums such as this — to marshal the full power of science in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges and accelerating progress on the SDGs.

Science offers an opportunity to build a better future.  It was in this spirit that I initiated the development of the United Nations Research Roadmap for the COVID-19 Recovery, which identified research priorities for supporting a better socioeconomic recovery and a more equitable, resilient and sustainable future.

I know many of you here today contributed to the 25 priorities laid out in the Roadmap, and I thank you for that engagement.  The Roadmap provides additional impetus for collective action that enables scientific research to fulfil its transformational potential.

Indeed, today we have a historic opportunity for change.  Science can provide an evidence base to design macroeconomic choices and fiscal policies that are pro-poor and that place people’s rights at the centre of recovery.

Achieving gender equity in science and research and investing in innovation for public services and sustainable infrastructure will help close the widening gap on inequalities and lead to a greener future.

I am pleased that you are already working towards our shared vision by launching an ambitious “Decade of Global Sustainability Science Action” and by convening this Global Forum of Funders.

Through science we can achieve a more equitable, resilient and sustainable future for all, and each of you here today has a crucial role to play.

Thank you.