The United Arab Emirates recently participated in the UN's sixth annual Science, Technology and Innovation Forum. Through a video statement at the Multi-Stakeholder Forum, the UAE has urged the international community to bridge the gap on access to science and technology with the aim of improving lives across the world.

In the statement, Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Advanced Technologies, underlined the significant role played by science and technology in 2020 amid the fight against the COVID-19 virus. Science, technology and innovation facilitated a proactive response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions on research and development of testing methods, surveillance and vaccinations among other needs.

"It was the tool that held up our healthcare systems, as scientists and doctors learned more about the virus. It was the tool that provided us with a means of prevention, the vaccine. It was the tool that enabled our children to continue to learn. It was the tool that upheld economies as work continued in its various forms," she said.

Al Amiri highlighted the power of science and technology in bringing people together to find solutions to challenging issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic. She further explained how the UAE is boosting its science and technology ecosystem, with prime focus on addressing climate change, promoting food and water security and enhancing the healthcare sector, particularly in the aftermath of COVID-19.

In terms of the COVID-19 pandemic, the minister emphasised the importance of science and technology in ensuring proactive response to the health crisis. She underlined how the UAE revised its policies and strategies to ensure a robust response to the pandemic. With its local and global impact, the UAE addressed key challenges and transformed those challenges into opportunities during the pandemic with the support of science and innovation.

She further noted how the UAE build a more resilient science and technology ecosystem to increase productivity, address key challenges, and mitigate the pandemic repercussions on the economy.

The UAE continues to strengthen its international efforts and cooperation in research and development, Al Amiri added.

In this regard, she cited the example of the Agriculture Innovation Mission (AIM) for Climate launched by the UAE in collaboration with the US and other partners during the Leaders Summit on Climate organised by US President Joe Biden.

With this initiative, the UAE aims to accelerate research and development in the agriculture sector in order to enable the industry better combat climate change. It also serves as a crucial example of stakeholders from various fields joining hands to solve global challenges such as climate change.

The United Nations' Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Forum is an annual gathering of world governments, civil society, UN entities, private sector, scientific community, youth and other stakeholders to identify and discuss technology needs and gaps in order to further the progress of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

As countries across the world continue to make efforts to combat COVID-19, this year's meeting prioritised developments in science, technology and innovation to ensure a sustainable and resilient recovery from the pandemic. In addition, the meeting also focused on effective pathways of inclusive action towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

WAM