Science Summit 2024

Global minds together to advance science and innovation

Science Summit 2024

10 | 27 September 2024, New York City Hybrid event

How Science and Innovation accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals

The Science Summit  is a premier global event that unites thought leaders, scientists, policymakers, and innovators to address the most pressing scientific and technological challenges of our time.

The Science Summit serves as a dynamic platform for showcasing cutting-edge research, sharing knowledge, and fostering inclusive international collaboration. Participants engage in sessions, plenaries, and workshops that cover a broad spectrum of topics aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN Summit of the Future.

Key focus areas include climate action, One Health, biodiversity, food systems, artificial intelligence, science philanthropy, quality education, affordable and clean energy, indigenous knowledge, and more. This year, the Summit will place a special emphasis on the Africa Science Leadership Coalition, which was launched at the UN Civil Society Conference on May 9, 2024, to promote African leadership in science policy decision-making.

The Science Summit aims to bridge the gap between science and policy, ensuring that scientific insights and advancements inform the creation and implementation of effective, sustainable, and inclusive global policies. Through dynamic discussions and networking opportunities, the Summit facilitates the exchange of ideas and the development of actionable strategies to address global challenges, thereby driving progress toward achieving the SDGs. It also positions science at the heart of the Summit of the Future process, framing discussions on how science will drive the post-SDG agenda.

The 2024 Science Summit is particularly significant as it coincides with the UN Summit of the Future, focusing on envisioning and planning for the post-SDG era. As the target date for the SDGs approaches, the Science Summit plays a crucial role in evaluating progress, identifying gaps, and exploring innovative solutions to ensure sustained advancement beyond 2030.

By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, the Science Summit at UNGA79 not only underscores the critical role of science in sustainable development but also helps shape the future global agenda. It aspires to drive progress towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable future for all, in alignment with the ongoing efforts of the UN Summit of the Future and the evolving post-SDG framework.

Science Summit Media PARTNER – AlphaGalileo

 

 The Science Summit is best understood as a process 

The Future Perspective Plenary on 27 Sept will set out key recommendations and express these in terms of key development in the 2024/25 timeframe. These include:

Dates Event Location
8-9 Oct 2024 UN DESA Africa Coalition meeting Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
21 Oct – 1 Nov 2024 UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (COP 16) Cali, Columbia
2-13 Dec 2024 UN Convention to Combat Desertification (COP 16) Riyadh, Saudia Arabia
17-20 March 2025 5th AERAP Africa-Europe Science Collaboration Platform Brussels, Belgium
9-10 May 2025 19th annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (STI Forum) New York, USA
19-27 May 2025 78th World Health Assembly Geneva, Switzerland
30 Jun – 2 July 2025 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) Madrid, Spain
9-26 September 2025 11th Annual Science Summit during UNGA80 New York, USA

Science Summit Features

Discover everything our annual event has to offer
Youth Engagement

Presentation of programs that empower young people through education, mentorship, and leadership training.

Highlight opportunities for youth to engage in entrepreneurship and governance, ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making processes

Science Philanthropy

Establish partnerships between private sector funders and scientific research institutions.

Presentation of grants and resources for innovative projects, and promote public-private collaborations to accelerate scientific discoveries and technological advancements

African Science Leadership Coalition

Place African researchers at the forefront of defining the post-SDGs agenda.

Foster regional and international scientific collaboration with Africa by establishing networks and partnerships that address both local and global challenges.

Good Health, One Health

One Health Plenary to present interdisciplinary programs, policies, and projects that integrate human, animal, and environmental health initiatives.

Promote research and education on holistic health approaches, and address issues like sanitation, personalised medicines, waterborne diseases, and climate impacts

Indigenous Knowledge

The Science Summit presents initiatives that recognize and integrate indigenous knowledge systems into mainstream practices.

These initiatives support the documentation and preservation of traditional knowledge while promoting its application in areas such as agriculture, conservation, and climate resilience.

Innovation & Infrastructure

How investing in the development of resilient infrastructure, supports research and innovation projects.

Industry investments in these infrastructures facilitate collaborative research initiatives that effectively address global challenges, integrating innovative technologies to promote sustainable practices worldwide.

Reduced Inequalities

Presentation of developing policies and programs that address social, economic, and political disparities.

The objective is to promote equal access to resources, education, and employment opportunities, and support initiatives that uplift marginalized communities

Inclusive Society and Institutions

Presentation of strategies to strengthen institutions for greater inclusivity, transparency, and accountability.

Discussion on developing policies that foster social inclusion and implementing programs to ensure equitable representation and participation across all societal groups. 

Digital Technologies

Round tables on how to enhance digital infrastructure and promote the adoption of digital technologies across sectors.

Practical cases on digital literacy programs, cybersecurity initiatives, and efforts to bridge the digital divide, ensuring equitable access to digital resources and opportunities

Agenda

September 10 - 27, 2024

Week 1

Online Sessions Only

Dive into a week of virtual exploration, where online sessions offer unparalleled access to cutting-edge research, groundbreaking discoveries, and thought-provoking discussions.

Join us for virtual sessions on AI for Science, Women and Peace in the Arab World, Data Traceability of the SDGs, Mental Health, the Role of Youth in the Post-SDGs Agenda, Science Diplomacy, NASA GLOBE International STEM Network, Food Security, Climate Crisis, Space Innovations contributing to the SDGs, Soil Health, Oceans Governance, Microbiome, Small Island Challenges, Clean Energy, and more.

All sessions will be live-streamed, with recordings available afterward.

Week 2

UN High-level Week – Hybrid Sessions

As the world converges in New York for the UN High-level week, join us for hybrid sessions that bridge the gap between online and in-person engagement.

Coinciding with the Summit of the Future on September 22nd and 23rd, 2024, these sessions promise to ignite new ideas and collaborations.

Highlights include plenary sessions by the European Brain Council, the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative, and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research of India.

Engage in sessions on Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Health Innovations in Sub-Saharan Africa, STEM education, and Women and Healthy Aging.

Week 3

UN High-level Debate Week – Hybrid Sessions

Embark on a journey of discovery during the final week of the Summit.

Featuring key events such as the Africa Science Leadership Coalition Plenary on September 23rd, the One Health Plenary on September 25th, and AI for Health on September 26th.

Get a preview of COP16 (Combat Desertification) and a presentation of the 5-year Flagship Programme by AGFUND. Join sessions on pandemic preparedness, genomics for Africa, and more.

Don’t miss the Science Parliament and the Young Programme.

All sessions will be live-streamed and broadcasted on social media platforms, ensuring global accessibility.

Session Formats

Presentations

Engage with thought-provoking presentations delivered by leading experts in their respective fields.

Round tables

Participate in interactive discussions and collaborative problem-solving sessions.

Breakfast discussions

Start your day with stimulating conversations over a virtual breakfast, exploring emerging trends and opportunities.

Networking lunches

Connect with peers and forge new partnerships over virtual networking lunches, fostering meaningful relationships.

Fireside chats

Join intimate conversations with trailblazers and visionaries, gaining insights into their experiences and perspectives.

Summit Plenaries

Meet the top leaders on key issues such as One Health, Biodiversity, Genomics, AI, Data, Capacity Building, etc.

Get Involved

Session proposals submission for the Science Summit

Highlighted Speakers

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Science Summit Plenaries

One Health

Financing Development

Capacity Building

Climate Change

Food Systems

Genomics

Artificial intelligence

Pandemic Preparedness

Science Policy and Regulation

Sponsors & Partners

FAQ

Frequently Asked questions

The Science Summit is a global event that brings together researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss how science can contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This is the 10th edition of the Science Summit which started in 2015 at the European Parliament in Brussels.

The Science Summit is a hybrid event taking place from the 10th to the 27 of September 2024.

The Science Summit is a hybrid event with a Virtual Programme running from 10th to 27th and a physical programme running from 17th to 27th in New York which will also be streamed live.

The Science Summit main venue is at Cure, a healthcare innovation campus in the heart of New York City, located at 345 Park Avenue South, between 25th and 26th Streets

Science Summit is an inclusive event and registration is free of charge. But you need to register.

These are the different options to attend:

Only virtual participation.  Register to both: the Virtual programme and the New York Programme that will also be broadcasted

Attending in-person in New York: register for the New York Programme only.

There is no registration fee.

The Science Summit 2024 is an inclusive event, ensuring everyone has equal opportunities to participate.

Our goal is to promote global collaboration in science and innovation.

Yes, the Science Summit event will include various networking activities in New York. Please check the Agenda.

Additionally, the virtual platform offers opportunities for online participants to network with speakers and other event attendees.

Technical support will be available online throughout the event.

For technical assistance, kindly contact: support@vfairs.com

Questions regarding your registration, please contact: support@sciencesummitunga.com

Your data will be used to facilitate your participation at the Science Summit event, including communication about event updates, session schedules, and networking opportunities.

It may also be used for event analytics to improve future events.

Please check further details in our Private Policy.