FAO statement at STI Forum Special Event - 'Implementing national STI4SDG roadmaps: capacity building and partnership in action'

Special Event: Implementing national STI4SDG roadmaps – capacity building and partnership in action

FAO Chief Scientist, Ismahane Elouafi

As prepared for delivery

I thank the organizers for providing this opportunity to FAO to respond to the discussions during this special event.

I would like to bring the importance of the integrating sectoral perspectives into the broader STI for SDG roadmaps at the national level.

As we are all aware, the engagement of sectoral agencies in the preparation of a broader national STI4SDG roadmaps is always challenging and several aspects need to be considered.

Finding an appropriate entry point at the national level to lead the STI4SDG roadmap process, together with capacities to coordinate with sectoral agencies, is critical.

The agencies responsible for coordinating the STI4SDG roadmaps should have a clear mandate at the national level to lead the process, being capable of navigating the complex sectoral institutional and organizational landscape.

Ensuring the readiness of the national organizations with relevant tools and methodologies to guide the STI4SDG roadmap preparation processes and implementation is key. The capacity development around these tools and guidelines are some of the important first steps.

In FAO, we are following a sequential and mutually reinforcing process to facilitate evidence-based policy processes that systematically integrates STI perspectives into agriculture and food security policies.

We have contributed to a policy brief on our methodology for assessment of agricultural innovation systems and how this could be linked to development of broader STI4SDG roadmaps. We would like to revisit and update the policy brief with additional details if needed.

In this process, the preparation of a baseline and background study, an assessment of existing gaps and weaknesses in the institutional systems and technical gaps and opportunities, and prioritization of institutions and/or entry points for capacity development, are considered crucial.

The baseline studies and the results of the assessment form the basis for policy dialogues that ensure integration or prioritization of most relevant STI elements to advance the progress of SDGs, especially SDG2.

When it comes to implementation, there is always limitation of public financing and we need to explore the options for transformative partnership and innovative financing mechanisms from multiple stakeholders, from the beginning.      

The establishment and/or strengthening of existing multi-stakeholder mechanisms with relevant roles and responsibilities is needed to ensure collaboration and sharing of the priorities, in support of implementation of the roadmaps.

The partnership in action should also consider the relevant partners who could also bring about the local and traditional knowledge into the priorities.

A more balanced engagement of partners would help us to develop inclusive STI4SDG roadmaps.

Thank you for your attention.