Pact for the Future Rev.4: Review of Chapter 3 on “Science, technology and innovation, and digital cooperation”

By Javier Surasky

On September 13, co-facilitators of the Pact for the Future drafting shared with the UN Member States a fourth revised version (Rev.4) of what is expected to be the key political document to be adopted by them at the Summit of the Future.

There are no major changes in the structure of the Pact in its Rev.4. Still, there are some reforms in the wording and number of actions, and the areas presenting the higher numbers of text rewording concerning Rev.3 (the previous version of the Pact, submitted by the co-facilitators on August 27) are related to the International Finance Institutions and the environment.

This post will focus on the Rev-4 chapter 3 on “Science, technology and innovation, and digital cooperation” (paragraphs 51 to 59). As usual, we will highlight text deletions in red and text additions in blue to help readers quickly identify the changes the Rev.4 introduces in the Rev.3 proposal.

The three paragraphs introducing this section remain as they were in Rev.3, without any change.

Para. 51 underlines science, technology, and innovation potential to accelerate the realization of the United Nations' aspirations. The paragraph also reminds us that such potential will be realized only through international cooperation to harness benefits and bridge the growing divide between developed and developing countries.

Para 52 refers to the responsible management of potential risks posed by science and technology such as its ability to perpetuate and deepen divides, including gender divides, patterns of discrimination and inequality, and adversely impacting human rights and sustainable development. Then, States affirm they will deepen partnerships with relevant stakeholders “especially the international financial institutions, the private sector, the technical and academic communities, and civil society”, and ensure science, technology, and innovation are catalysts for a more inclusive, equitable, sustainable, prosperous, and human rights respectful world.

Para. 53 states that digital and emerging technologies, including AI, are changing our world and playing a significant role in sustainable development. Consequently, Member States express their determination to realize that potential and manage the risks “through enhanced international cooperation, engagement with relevant stakeholders, and by promoting an inclusive, responsible and sustainable digital future,” mentioning the inclusion of the Global Digital Compact as an annex to the Pact for the Future as a step in that direction.

Then, the chapter introduces six actions (30 to 35), one less than Rev.3. The action that faded out of the Pact is that related to “uphold intellectual property rights to support developing countries achieve sustainable development” (action 32 in Rev.3), an issue that was left to the Global Digital Compact consideration.

Action 30, on seizing the opportunities presented by science, technology, and innovation for the benefit of people and the planet, remains unchanged. States decide here that, “guided by the principles of equity and solidarity, and promote the responsible and ethical use of science, technology and innovation," they will act to

Foster and promote an open, fair, and inclusive environment for scientific and technological development and cooperation “including through actively building trust in science and global collaboration on innovation.”

Increase the use of science, scientific knowledge, and scientific evidence in policy-making, ensuring interdisciplinary collaboration.

Encourage talent mobility, supporting developing countries “to retain talent and prevent a brain drain while providing suitable educational and working conditions and opportunities for the workforce.”

Action 31 on scaling up the means of implementation to developing countries to strengthen their science, technology, and innovation capacities, includes only one but still relevant change in paragraph 55. The paragraph starts by stating that science, technology, and innovation are critical to support and enable sustainable growth, climate action, and the 2030 Agenda acceleration, underlining that collaborating to bridge the science, technology, and innovation gap requires supporting developing countries, particularly those in special situations and facing specific challenges. Accordingly, States “reiterate the need to accelerate the transfer of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries on favorable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed” [In rev.3, “on mutually agreed terms”]. The inclusion of a concrete consideration on concessional and preferential terms of “green” technologies is a victory for developing countries. Nevertheless, it is still tied to the reference to “mutually agreed terms.”

There are no changes in the seven “decisions” under this action, aimed at:

Ensure science, technology, and innovation contribute to poverty and hunger eradication and to reduce inequalities “in addition to areas such as of food security and nutrition, health, education, social protection, water and sanitation, energy, climate and environment.”

Increase efforts to support developing countries with capacity-building in science, technology, and innovation “through policy exchanges, knowledge sharing, technical assistance, financing, joint international research and personnel training tailored to specific needs, policies and priorities of developing countries.”

“Support the development, deployment, and sustainable use of emerging and open source technologies” and policies towards open science, innovation, and know-how for the SDGs, “especially in developing countries.”

Strengthen North-South, South-South, and triangular cooperation, “to build capacity for and improve access to science, technology and innovation, and to increase resources for the implementation of technical and scientific initiatives.”

Scale up financing for scientific and infrastructure research supporting sustainable development and increase opportunities for research cooperation “especially in developing countries.”

Attract and support private sector investment and deepen public-private partnerships in science, technology, and innovation by promoting an environment that encourages investment and entrepreneurship, develops local innovation ecosystems, and promotes decent work in developing countries, ensuring that innovation can reach global markets.

“Promote and maintain stable and resilient global supply chains to make scientific and technological products and services more accessible to all.”

Action 32 [33 in Rev.3] shows only one minor change. Intending to ensure that science, technology, and innovation contribute to the full enjoyment of human rights by all, and recognize the opportunities and risks presented by science, technology, and innovation to promote, protect, and fulfill human rights, States decide to:

“Ensure that all scientific and technological research is conducted in a responsible and ethical manner that protects and promotes all human rights, and protects the autonomy, freedom and safety of scientific researchers.”

Integrate a human rights approach into new and emerging technologies regulations, calling the private sector “to respect human rights and uphold ethical principles in the development and use of new and emerging technologies.”

“Ensure that those [in Rev. 3, “persons”] in vulnerable situations” benefit from and “meaningfully participate in the development and application of science, technology and innovation.”

Harness opportunities come from “new and emerging technologies to empower and advance equity for persons with disabilities,” including the promotion of assistive technologies' availability.

No changes in action 33 [34 in Rev.3] on ensuring that science, technology, and innovation improve gender equality and the lives of all women and girls.

After expressing grave concern “about the gender digital divide and that rapid technological change can exacerbate existing gender inequality and present serious risks to all women and girls” (paragraph 57 Rev-4, 58 Rev.3), States decide to:

“Address barriers to full equal and meaningful access to and participation and leadership in science, technology and innovation for all women and girls, including through improving education, employment and research opportunities for women and girls in areas such as science, technology, innovation, mathematics and engineering.”

“Address gender-related risks and challenges emerging from the use of technologies, including all forms of violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, trafficking in persons, harassment, bias and discrimination against all women and girls that occur through, or are amplified by, the use of technology, including against women migrant workers.”

Action 34 [35 in Rev.3] is aimed to protect, build on, and complement Indigenous, traditional, and local knowledge.

In paragraph 58 [59 in Rev.3] States recognize that science, technology, and innovation should be adapted and made relevant to local needs and contexts, “including for local communities, traditional afro-descendant populations, and Indigenous Peoples, in line with the principle of free, prior and informed consent, as appropriate.” The last two words, introduced by the Rev.4, open a door towards evading applying this action and its single attached decision:

“To foster synergies between science and technology and traditional, local, afro-descendant and Indigenous knowledge, systems, practices and capacities.”

There is also no news concerning action 35 [36 in Rev.3] on bolstering the Secretary-General to strengthen the United Nations’ role in supporting international cooperation in science, technology, and innovation.

As in Rev 3 paragraph 60, Rev. 4 paragraph 59 recognizes the UN's essential role in science, technology, and innovation, taking note of the establishment of the Scientific Advisory Board to provide independent scientific advice to the Secretary-General, and requesting from him to:

Strengthen the UN’s capacities to leverage science, technology, and innovation in its work, including by planning, and applying future thinking and foresight approaches, while monitoring and measuring “global progress to bridge the science and technology gap within and between developed and developing countries.”

“Support national governments to leverage science and technology for sustainable development, including by exploring ways to strengthen the capacity and expertise of United Nations Country Teams.”

In conclusion, changes in this section in Rev.4 regarding Rev.3 are minimal, with the only exception of the decision to take out from the Pact for the Future the action on international property rights, a divisive issue on which countries' positions are still too far away to find any consensus.

Anyway, it is not expected that this new text will achieve consensus among the United Nations Member States, which will mean arriving at the Summit of the Future without having been able to previously agree on the wording of any of the documents that the leaders are expected to adopt during the meeting.