Platform:
Zoom
Meeting Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84215745284?pwd=yid0y2fiarmakdHtPsUm4btNarshas.1
Meeting ID:
842 1574 5284 Passcode: 569457
A short description of the side event
Thematic focus
Halfway to the 2030 deadline, only 15% of about SDG targets are on track, about half are moderately or severely off track, and more than 30% have either seen no movement or have regressed below the 2015 starting line. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), more than two-thirds of the UN’s targets for sustainable development can benefit directly from digital technologies. How science can help the world reverse the current derailment of SDGs? This side event will focus on accelerating the realization of SDGs in African countries by using big earth data such as satellites, in-situ observations, and models for monitoring and evaluation of indicators. Data infrastructure, application cases, successful practices will be presented and discussed, emerging issues in African countries will be identified, with different concerns on SDG2, SDG13, and SDG17. This side event will feature 4 invited speakers, who will first present their presentation, followed by a panel discussion session among the invited speakers on how to build up the capacity for data acquisition, analysis and application, to bridge digital technology divides.
Agenda
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8:30-8:40pm
Opening Remarks (10 mins)
· H.E. Mr. Mohammed Belhocine, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, African Union
· Ms. Luo Hui, Executive Secretary, Director General of the Department of International Affairs, China Association for Science and Technology (CAST)
· Mr. Huadong Guo, Director General, CBAS -
8:40-9:05pm
Presentation (25 mins)
· Mr. Menghestab Haile, Regional Director for Southern Africa, WFP
· Mr. Chen Fang, Deputy Director General, CBAS
· Mr. Mactar Seck, Chief of Section Innovation and Technology, UNECA
· Ms. Livia Peiser, Senior Land and Water Officer, Team leader, Geospatial Unit, FAO -
9:05-9:40pm
Panel Discussion (35 mins)
· Mr. Menghestab Haile, Regional Director for Southern Africa, WFP
· Mr. Liu Liangyun, Professor, CBAS
· Mr. Mactar Seck, Chief of Section Innovation and Technology, UNECA
· Ms. Livia Peiser, Senior Land and Water Officer, Team leader, Geospatial Unit, FAO
· Mr. Kamal Labbassi, Professor, Chouaib Doukkali University
· Mr. Elias Nyandwi, Senior Lecturer/Researcher, College of Sciences and Technology, University of Rwanda
· Mr. Asfaw Kebede Kassa, Associate Professor, Hydrology and Water Resource Engineering, Haramaya University -
9:40-9:45pm
Wrap-up (5 mins)
Co-moderators
Mr. Han Qunli
Professor, International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS)
Mr. Amos Tiereyangn Kabo-bah
Professor, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Ghana
Speakers
Organizer
Co-Organizer
Partner
Potential contribution to 9th STI Forum
The event falls well within the STI 2024 theme, “Science, technology and innovation for reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions.” It highlights the potential and challenges of big earth data in accelerating SDGs in African countries. The panel discussion session will be structured to focus on the following guiding questions;
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Currently, only about 15% of SDG targets are on track, about half are moderately or severely off track, and more than 30% have either seen no movement or have regressed below the 2015 starting line. What are the Africa’s main SDGs challenges at this stage towards realizing SDGs? Especially for SDG 2 Zero Huger, SDG 13 Climate Action, SDG 17 Partnership, etc.
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As new technologies emerge and advance, a widening digital divide in developing countries threaten to preclude its progress on the SDGs. How to leverage the advantages of digital technology as a boost to achieve SDGs in Africa? (For example, big data, AI, cloud computing, etc.)
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What concrete actions can be made for accelerating Africa’s SDGs? (For example, the concrete actions to increase the effectiveness of capacity building for SDGs, to promote data sharing, to strengthen international collaboration and the ways to apply joint projects, etc.)