UN Science-Policy-Business Forum

UN Science-Policy-Business Forum
Name	UN Science-Policy-Business Forum
Formation	2017
Type	Intergovernmental forum
Headquarters	New York City
Parent organization	United Nations

Contents

UN Science-Policy-Business Forum is an intergovernmental platform convened by the United Nations to connect scientists, policy-makers, and business leaders on global challenges. It aims to align sustainable development initiatives with evidence from research institutions and investment by private sector actors. The forum operates alongside mechanisms such as the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and interfaces with agencies including the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Development Programme.

Overview

The forum functions as a bridge among networks like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to mobilize scientific advice for Sustainable Development Goals implementation. It convenes stakeholders from entities such as the World Economic Forum, the International Energy Agency, the Global Environment Facility, and the Green Climate Fund to discuss translational research, technology transfer, and investment. By fostering dialogue among representatives from the European Commission, the African Union Commission, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and national ministries, the forum seeks to accelerate action on themes covered by the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The initiative emerged from deliberations within the United Nations General Assembly and recommendations by the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination to strengthen science-policy interfaces after summits including the Rio+20 Conference and the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Early pilots drew on expertise from institutions such as NASA, European Space Agency, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and the International Science Council. Major convenings referenced contributions from delegations representing countries like the United States, the People's Republic of China, the United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, India, and South Africa, while partnering with research centers such as Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The governance model integrates officials from the United Nations Secretariat, representatives from multilateral organizations including the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Labour Organization, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, plus advisory panels drawn from the Royal Society, the National Academy of Sciences (United States), the Academia Sinica, and national academies like the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. Oversight mechanisms reference procedures similar to those of the United Nations Economic and Social Council and involve liaison with treaty bodies such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the World Trade Organization. Administrative support is provided by UN offices in New York City, with thematic working groups aligned to coalitions such as the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, and the International Renewable Energy Agency.

The forum organizes plenaries, technical briefings, and policy labs that produce synthesis reports, roadmaps, and policy briefs used by entities like the United Nations Children's Fund, World Food Programme, and UN Women. Outputs have included thematic assessments on topics coordinated with the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, systematic evidence reviews akin to those by the Cochrane Collaboration, and compendia of best practices for financing aligned with the International Finance Corporation standards. It convenes issue-specific coalitions with stakeholders such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, the Rockefeller Foundation, and corporate partners like Microsoft and Siemens to catalyze innovation in areas linked to the Global Green New Deal discourse.

Membership spans national delegations, scientific academies, non-governmental organizations such as Greenpeace International and World Wide Fund for Nature, philanthropic organizations, and private-sector consortia. Partnerships have been formalized with research networks including the Global Research Council, the Future Earth initiative, and regional organizations such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the Organization of American States. The forum engages investor networks like the Principles for Responsible Investment signatories and collaborates with standards bodies including the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission.

Advocates cite contributions to policy coherence among actors such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and improved evidence uptake by administrations in countries like Norway, Japan, Kenya, and Brazil. Critics point to concerns raised by civil society groups including Amnesty International and Transnational Institute about equity, transparency, and the influence of corporate partners, echoing debates that have involved institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Academic commentators from universities including Columbia University, University of California, Berkeley, and The Australian National University have urged stronger safeguards to manage conflicts of interest and to protect the independence of scientific advice, drawing on models used by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.