Staff Reporter
Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of UNU, has been appointed to the United Nations Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board.
Announced by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on 3 August, the Advisory Board will also include Chief Scientists of UN System entities (UNEP, FAO, WHO, WMO, and UNESCO), the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, and esteemed external scientists.
Professor Thuli Madonsela, Professor of Law at Stellenbosch University, has also been appointed to serve on the board.
The Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board will play a crucial role in providing scientific advice to the Secretary-General and his senior management team to inform policies and decisions amid the rapid development of science and technology.
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has created a new Scientific Advisory Board to advise UN leaders on breakthroughs in science and technology and how to harness the benefits of these advances and mitigate potential risks.
“Scientific and technological progress can support efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals — but they are also giving rise to ethical, legal and political concerns that require multilateral solutions,” Mr Guterres said.
“My Scientific Advisory Board will strengthen the role of the United Nations as a reliable source of data and evidence and provide advice to me and my senior management team.”
The Advisory Board will comprise seven eminent scholars alongside the Chief Scientists of United Nations System entities, the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, and the Rector of the United Nations University. The Board will be associated with a network of diverse scientific institutions worldwide.
“The Secretary-General’s decision to establish a Scientific Advisory Board underscores the unwavering dedication of UN leaders to the principles of the scientific method. I look forward to supporting the UN Secretary-General in raising the voice for science-based policy and decision-making,” expressed Professor Yoshua Bengio, Scientific Director of Mila — Quebec AI Institute and Professor at the Université de Montréal.
The primary objective of the Board is to provide independent insights on trends at the intersection of science, technology, ethics, governance and sustainable development. Through their collaborative efforts, the Board and its Network will support United Nations leaders in anticipating, adapting to and leveraging the latest scientific advancements in their work for people, the planet and prosperity.
“By ensuring that UN policies and programmes are founded on the best available scientific evidence and expertise, the Board will play a crucial role in navigating the complex moral, social, and political dilemmas presented by rapid scientific and technological progress,” said Ismahane Elouafi, Chief Scientist at the Food and Agriculture Organization.
With the formation of the Scientific Advisory Board, the United Nations takes a momentous stride towards better-bridging science and policy. This initiative marks a vital step towards embracing the full potential of science and technology for the collective benefit of all Member States. Through collaborative efforts and inclusive representation, the Board will bolster the UN’s capacity to address the intricate challenges and opportunities at the forefront of science and technology, fostering a path towards a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
Centred around a hybrid model, the Board will comprise a group of seven eminent scientists with a track record in applying their expertise, including in the humanities, and another group of Chief Scientists of different UN entities, the UN University Rector, and the Tech Envoy. The Board itself will act as a hub for a network of scientific networks. The objective is to have a better interface between the scientific community and decision-making in the UN.
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