G-STIC CONFERENCE 2020: 3700 participants from 140 countries

Identifying technological innovations that impact the SDGs

3700 participants and 200 expert speakers from 140 countries joined online in the 2020 edition of the G-STIC conference to discuss how we can leverage technology transformation opportunities triggered by COVID-19 beyond the current pandemic.

The intersecting challenges of health, climate and sustainability have indeed never been clearer than today. We urgently need better ways to provide healthcare and education, decarbonising energy systems, sustainable agriculture and nutrition, sustainable and healthful cities. The fourth edition of the G-STIC conference proved to be a unique opportunity to identify technological innovations that impact the SDGs and to discuss what needs to be done to make the science-technology-policy system capable of rapid delivery of these solutions.

World-renowned speakers on sustainable development

Get inspired by their views and messages

As we are in the midst of a global health crisis adding enormous social and economic shocks to the burden of disease and death, the interdependence inside and between nations becomes more apparent than ever before. Gro Harlem Brundtland highlighted during her keynote that the COVID-19 pandemic is a stark illustration of how we need to work together for inclusiveness, equality, empowerment and sustainability to safeguard our common future.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in turn, emphasised that science and technology are crucial to address the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, and the growing inequalities throughout the world. This pandemic is a wake-up call for a better relationship between science and policymaking, for more effective international technology cooperation, and for building public trust in science.

Chairperson Summary

Key actions to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs

Far from undermining the case for the SDGs, the root causes and uneven impacts of COVID-19 demonstrate precisely the urgency of implementing the 2030 Agenda. COVID-19 is forcing us to design a new area of technological development that balances economic, social and environmental progress to build a greener and more inclusive future.

During the G-STIC conference, inspiring speakers and sustainability thought leaders explored how to leverage technological transformation opportunities beyond the current COVID-19 pandemic. They discussed what is needed to strengthen international cooperation on science and technology, and which key actions are needed to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs. Interested to read the summary of their views and discussions?

A vibrant community spread all over the world

Joining online sessions and sessions live-streamed from Brussels

Matchmaking at the G-STIC conference

The perfect place to kick off new partnerships