Science Summit at United Nations General Assembly 77 (UNGA77)

Enhanced South-South and North-South cooperation for Global "knowledge accumulation" is imperative, especially in the areas of Science, Technology and Innovation in order to overcome global challenges such as climate change, food and health security and inclusive adoption of digital technologies. SDG17 emphasizes upon the global community to work together. In this context, it is important to understand the cooperation possibilities for knowledge creation, sharing and accumulation amongst South-South and North-South regions to strengthen the Global Goal of making the world a better place for all. The contemporary global landscape of innovative activity encompasses geographical concentration in certain regions. There are information and knowledge asymmetries impacting the economic growth, development and welfare of the masses. With abundance power of human inquisitiveness, the technological frontiers have been continuously expanding. Over the years, technologies have improved immensely benefitting billions of people globally. Presently we are in the era of Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) with rapid adoption of robotics, artificial intelligence and Internet of things, which gives hopes to some while others fear for their survival. What are the possibilities of South-South and North-South cooperation amidst competitive interests, given the huge concentration of knowledge generating hubs in the Global North? How formal and informal ties help in knowledge spillovers? These are some broad issues that will be discussed by the speakers in the session.