PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
New York, 05.03.26 – Zambia, alongside Austria, co-led a high-level United Nations (UN) briefing on preparations for the 11th Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) scheduled for 6th to 7th May 2026 at UN Headquarters.
In his remarks, Dr Chola Milambo, Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Co-chair of the STI Forum underscored that with only five years remaining to 2030, science, technology and innovation must serve as practical tools for transformation.
The 2026 Forum will focus on three priority areas: transforming water systems; scaling affordable and clean energy solutions; and strengthening forward-looking STI governance, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence. Over 900 global innovation submissions have already been received, reflecting strong international engagement and a growing pipeline of scalable solutions.
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) president H.E. Mr. Lok Bahadur Thapa underscored the importance of STI for achieving the 2030 Agenda.
And Austria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, H.E Gregor Kössler underscored that the Forum aligns with the 2026 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) theme of “Transformative, equitable and coordinated science, technology and innovation for the 2030 Agenda.” He noted the Forum’s linkages to major global processes, including the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) which Zambia co-facilitated, and stressed the importance of strengthening the science-policy interface at ministerial level.
Zambia’s leadership of the Forum reflects its growing role as a regional champion of STI driven development. The Zambian government launched a National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy and Implementation Plan in June 2025 aimed at strengthening research and development, promoting innovation commercialisation, and building national capacity in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. The policy framework supports Zambia’s broader economic transformation agenda by positioning innovation as a driver of economic transformation, industrialisation, job creation, and resilience. Zambia has undertaken significant investments supporting both the STI ecosystem and enhancing service delivery anchored on STI. With respect to the focus areas of the STI Forum, the government has invested in expanding access to clean water and sanitation through initiatives such as the Kazungula Water Project, a key regional infrastructure program that provides reliable potable water and strengthens climate resilience and large-scale national water system upgrades under the Zambia Water and Sanitation Project.
Further, Zambia has prioritised digital inclusion as a cornerstone of development by expanding connectivity, increasing broadband access, and integrating more citizens into the digital economy as part of Zambia’s digital transformation strategy. This is designed to support entrepreneurship, improve service delivery, and create opportunities for young people and women across the country. These efforts align directly with the objectives of the STI Forum and reinforce Zambia’s commitment to bridging the digital divide.
The Co-chairs called on Member States and partners to strengthen financial support for the Technology Facilitation Mechanism to ensure inclusive participation, particularly from developing countries.
As Zambia helps steer global dialogue on science, technology and innovation, it reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that technological progress delivers practical, inclusive, and sustainable benefits for its people and for the world.
Issued by:
Namatama Njekwa
First Secretary Press and Public Relations
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia
