South-South Cooperation to Advance Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Africa and the Global South 

The “South-South Cooperation to Advance Science, Technology, and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Africa and the Global South” panel, organized by UNESCO IESALC and the UNOSSC, will be a key feature of the UNESCO Chairs and Partners Forum 2024: Transforming Knowledge for Africa’s Future.

This forum, hosted at the African Union Convention Center in Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, from September 30 to October 2, takes special significance as it aligns with the African Union’s 2024 Year of Education. The forum provides a fitting platform to celebrate and reinforce the central role of education in Africa’s sustainable development, directly from the headquarters of the African Union. 

The session will take place on Monday, September 30, from 4:00 – 5:00 PM, local time Addis Ababa, at the Forum’s venue, the African Union Convention Center. Its objective is to address shared challenges among countries in Africa and all Global South regions and the connected roles of South-South cooperation and science, technology, and innovation (STI) as strategic tools for advancing the contributions of higher education to sustainable development. Bringing together UNESCO Chairs, higher education institutions, students, and partners from Africa and beyond, the panel will explore how South-South partnerships can enhance educational programs, research, and innovation. It will also consider ways to facilitate the transfer of STI beyond academic sectors, fostering collaboration across diverse regional contexts. 

The panel’s objectives include: 

• To discuss how countries, societies, and higher education institutions in the Global South can turn shared challenges—such as limited research funding, low academic mobility, and developing innovation ecosystems—into strengths through South-South cooperation. And to explore how regional diversity in SDG priorities and solutions can be leveraged for cross-regional learning and collaboration, fostering tailored and innovative approaches to sustainable development. 

• To share good practices and positive examples of how South-South cooperation has driven and could further positive outcomes for STI and SDGs in and between Global South regions. 

• To discuss and promote collaboration between policymakers, academia, students, and communities bolster sustainable development and ensure the transferability of STI beyond the academic world. 

• To propose ways forward and concrete solutions to expand partnerships across the Global South, especially in academic research and training, to enhance educational programs and foster sustainable development through STI. 

Date and time: Monday 30 September 2024, 4:00 – 5:30 PM (local time Addis Ababa, Ethiopia )  

Place: African Union Convention Center, Caucus Room 10,  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia