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Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Leah J. Buendia has been appointed as the Vice Chair for the Asia Pacific Group of the United Nations (UN) Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD), marking a significant milestone for the Philippines in the global tech arena. The appointment took place during the twenty-seventh session of the CSTD, held from April 15-19, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland.
The CSTD serves as a vital intergovernmental forum within the United Nations, focusing on science, technology, and innovation (STI) for development. With a mandate to critically analyse pressing issues in STI and its potential contributions to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Commission plays a crucial role in shaping global policies in this domain. Comprising five regional groups with 43 Member States, including nine from the Asia Pacific Group, the CSTD wields significant influence in advancing STI agendas worldwide.
During this year’s session, discussions at the CSTD revolved around the theme of global cooperation in science, technology, and innovation for development. Undersecretary Buendia, in her capacity as the Philippine representative, highlighted the country’s efforts in this regard.
She underscored the Philippines’ co-organisation, alongside the United States of America and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), of the Workshop on Harnessing STI for Disaster Risk Reduction in Metro Manila. This workshop, held from February 29 to March 1, 2024, exemplified the Philippines’ commitment to leveraging STI to address pressing societal challenges, particularly in disaster resilience.
Furthermore, discussions centred on the pivotal role of data in driving development efforts, with Undersecretary Buendia spotlighting the Philippines’ innovative use of data for disaster risk reduction, healthcare, medicine, and satellite-based environmental monitoring. These initiatives underscored the Philippines’ proactive approach towards harnessing STI for sustainable development.
The annual sessions of the CSTD also align with the broader themes of the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the High-Level Political Forum on sustainable development. For 2024, these platforms focused on Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 13, 16, and 17, covering poverty eradication, zero hunger, climate action, peace, justice, strong institutions, and partnerships for the Goals.
Undersecretary Buendia highlighted the Philippines’ STI responses to these goals, including the DOST’s Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Programme, Malnutrition Reduction Programme, Enhanced Nutribun and the establishment of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger.
In a passionate call to action, Undersecretary Buendia highlioghted the importance of building trust and fostering fair and just mechanisms, particularly in supporting developing countries and vulnerable sectors. This call echoed the Philippines’ commitment to global solidarity and cooperation in advancing STI for sustainable development.
As the newly appointed Vice Chair of the Asia Pacific Group, Undersecretary Buendia assumes a pivotal role in steering regional STI agendas. In this capacity, she chaired and moderated a session on the presentation of updates of national science, technology, and innovation policy reviews conducted by UNCTAD.
Serving as part of the Bureau, which coordinates decision-making points within regional groups, Undersecretary Buendia will play a crucial role in shaping future courses of action and priority themes for the Commission, further cementing the Philippines’ position as a key player in the global tech landscape.
The Philippines’ active engagement on the international stage in the realm of Science and Technology for Development is not only indicative of its commitment to global cooperation but also mirrors its steadfast pursuit of digital objectives domestically.
At the heart of this endeavour lies the country’s aspiration to harness the transformative power of science, technology, and innovation (STI) to address pressing societal challenges and propel sustainable development at home and abroad.
