Group of Friends’ initiative ‘Science for Action’ launched at UN

In an effort to create and nurture a culture and practice of science-informed deliberations and cooperation in the UN, the Permanent Representatives of India, Belgium and South Africa to the United Nations  collectively announced the creation of a Group of Friends on Science for Action.

Announcing the launch, Indian Mission to the UN tweeted, “The world needs real, tangible & sustainable solutions to multiple crises. This Group is a critical step towards achieving SDGs, through evidence-based decision-making.”

According to an official release, the group will work towards providing an informal forum for debate and open exchange on science between countries; exploring ways of mainstreaming science, technology and innovation;  facilitating dialogue with scientists on key questions of issues; providing an entry point to support a better and more targeted mobilization and engagement of the scientific community and providing a  platform for members to liaise with global networks and communities (nationally, regionally and internationally).

"We need solutions informed by science more than ever. The main goals of the Group of Friends on Science for Action will be to inspire maximum commitment by UN Member States to the application of knowledge, and to ensure that they have access to actionable knowledge. The co-chairs invite all Member States to join the Group of Friends," Ruchira Kambhoj, Ambassador of India to the UN said announcing the initiative on behalf of the chairs-India, Belgium and South Africa.

Permanent Representative of Belgium, Ambassador Philippe Kridelka,  and the Permanent Representative of South Africa, Ambassador Mathu Joyini were present during the event.

Lauding the group's creation, Csaba Kőrösi, president of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly said, "We need an organized and regular cooperation between the scientific and the policy community. The scientific support we need must be multidisciplinary, data-driven, pragmatic, and solutions-oriented. I congratulate Belgium, India, and South Africa on their initiative to create a Group of Friends on Science for Action and I encourage all Member States to consider joining."

The chairs of the group thanked the International Science Council for its support of the Group of Friends initiative and invited all member states to join the group.