From Science to Practice: Strengthening Research Uptake to Achieve the SDGs

With intensifying policy challenges coinciding with eroding trust in science and public institutions, how can we support effective, evidence-based policies to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

The conference is a place for representatives from UN system entities, other international organizations, academia, civil society and the private sector to come together and promote exchange that can inform global efforts to achieve the SDGs. Participants will explore ways to improve the interface among researchers, decision makers and policy practitioners to inform global efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The event continues the conversation begun at the 2016 conference, "Strengthening the UN's research uptake", and pursued in the 2019 report, "Strengthening policy research uptake in the context of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development".

On 11 December, plenary sessions will consider cross-cutting factors that affect research-policy-practice interaction, and breakout sessions will delve deeper into selected relationships across the SDGs: Good Health and Well-Being (Goal 3); Reduced Inequalities (Goal 10); Sustainable Cities and Communities (Goal 11).

Welcome remarks

• Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General, United Nations Office at Geneva
• Valentin Zellweger , Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations and the other International Organisations in Geneva

On 12 December there will be opportunities to further investigate the gaps and needs obstructing the science-policy interface identified in the breakout sessions, and to and to consider fresh and innovative solutions through exchange with bright young minds, speakers and other practitioners.

Visit the main conference website for the full programme, list of speakers, and registration.