UN Observes 2nd International Day of Science, Technology, and Innovation for the South on 16 September 2025.

On 16th September 2025, the United Nations (UN) observed the 2nd International Day of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) for the South, emphasizing the critical role of STI in driving economic growth, sustainable development, and collaboration among Global South countries.

      - The International Day of STI for the South was initiated in September 2023 at the Summit on Science, Technology, and Innovation held in Havana. Leaders of the G77 and China agreed to designate 16th September as this observance, highlighting STI as a tool to address development challenges globally.

      - On 9th January 2024, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/78/259, officially declaring 16th September each year as the International Day of Science, Technology, and Innovation for the South, reinforcing the use of STI to achieve sustainable development goals.

      - The resolution emphasizes leveraging scientific and technological advancements to support the 2030 Agenda, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The day was first observed on 16th September 2024, setting the stage for annual global recognition of STI in the Global South.

Main Point :-   (i) Robust Research and Development (R&D) is crucial to achieving the 2030 SDGs, addressing global challenges including poverty, inequality, climate change, and pandemics. Despite global R&D spending reaching USD 2.5 trillion in 2022, most investment is concentrated in developed countries and China, leaving the Global South underfunded.

      (ii) High-income countries account for 77% of global R&D expenditure, while low-income countries account for just 0.3%, reflecting the urgent need for targeted investments in the Global South to strengthen research capacity and innovation ecosystems.

(iii) The 2025 event was held virtually by UNESCO IESALC and UNOSSC, highlighting the South-South University Cooperation Network (SSUCN) and Regional Hubs to promote collaboration in higher education, research, and innovation across the Global South.
About United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC)