Background
The United Nations Inter-agency Task Team on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (IATT) is mandated to promote coordination, coherence and cooperation within the United Nations system on science, technology and innovation (STI)–related matters, with a view to enhancing synergies, efficiency and capacity-building in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The IATT was established in 2015 as a core component of the Technology Facilitation Mechanism (TFM), as mandated by the General Assembly through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. The TFM provides a UN system-wide, multi-stakeholder framework to mobilize science, technology and innovation for sustainable development and comprises.
The IATT originated from an informal inter-agency working group jointly convened by UN DESA and UNEP during the preparatory process for the 2030 Agenda. Following the launch of the TFM in September 2015, it was formalized as the Inter-agency Task Team on STI for the SDGs. UN DESA has served as the Secretariat of the IATT since its inception, with UNEP acting as co-convener in the early years and UNCTAD serving as co-coordinator in subsequent phases.
Over time, the IATT has evolved into a robust platform for working-level collaboration among UN entities. Its membership has steadily expanded and currently includes around 50 UN agencies, funds, programmes, regional commissions and related entities, with well over 150 staff members actively engaged. This has enabled an unprecedented level of cooperation, knowledge exchange and joint action on STI issues across the UN system.
The IATT’s work is organized through thematic workstreams, covering areas such as the STI Forum, the online platform (2030 Connect), STI capacity-building, STI policy frameworks and roadmaps, emerging and frontier technologies, and gender and STI, in support of intergovernmental processes. Flagship initiatives include the STI for SDGs Roadmaps programme, which supports Member States in aligning national STI strategies with SDG priorities through integrated, multi-stakeholder approaches, as well as joint UN system efforts on STI capacity development, emerging technologies, and inclusive innovation.
Through its convening role, analytical contributions and operational collaboration, the IATT serves as a central mechanism for strengthening the science–policy interface within the UN system and supporting Member States in harnessing STI to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Work Streams
Policy Briefs
- #1: Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs Roadmaps - Framework and Working Method
- #2: Assessment of STI capabilities to meet prioritized SDGs
- #3: Assessment of Human Capital Needs for STI R&D and Other STI Skills
- #4: Harnessing Ghana youth innovation potential for the SDGs
- #5 Financial Flows to Promote Technology Transfers and Gender Inclusiveness for SIDS
- #6 Localised Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for SDGs Roadmaps in Ukraine
- #7 Enhancing the sustainable development component in the Action Plan of the STI for SDGs Roadmap in Serbia
Background Papers:
- Background Paper 1 - An Overview of the UN Technology Initiatives
- Background Paper 2 - Options of An Online Platform of a Technology Facilitation Mechanism
- Background Paper 3 - Landscape of Science, Technology and Innovation initiatives for the SDGs
Members of the Inter-agency Task Team
- United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) (Coordinator)
- United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) (Coordinator)
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB)
- International Labour Organization (ILO)
- International Maritime Organization (IMO)
- International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- International Trade Centre (ITC)
- United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
- United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC)
- United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
- United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Africa (UNESCWA)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
- United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
- United Nations Global Pulse
- United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
- United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
- United Nations Innovation Network (UNIN)
- United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
- United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
- United Nations Joint SDG Fund (UNJSDGF)
- United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR)
- United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA)
- United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
- United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP)
- United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
- United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC)
- United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UNOHRLLS)
- United Nations Office of the Secretary General’s Envoy on Technology
- United Nations Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT)
- United Nations Regional Commissions New York Office (RCNYO)
- United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)
- United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB Secretariat )
- United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC)
- United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries
- United Nations University - MERIT
- United Nations University - Macau
- United Nations Women (UN Women)
- United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)
- World Bank Group
- World Health Organization
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
- World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
- World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
IATT Coordinators
Mr. Wei Liu
Division for Sustainable Development Goals
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)
S-26th floor, United Nations Secretariat Building,
New York, NY 10017, USA
liuw@un.org
Mr. Dimo Calovski
Science, Technology, and ICT Branch
Division on Technology and Logistics
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Palais des Nations, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
dimo.calovski@unctad.org
Technology
