Science Summit at United Nations General Assembly 77 (UNGA77)

Science diplomacy can be advanced to new levels by utilizing the En-ROADS climate solutions simulator from Climate Interactive and MIT Sloan School of Management. This session will explore the capabilities of this tool to ground dialogue around climate change in science-based scenarios for global action. We'll use En-ROADS to explore the impacts of cross-sector climate solutions—from carbon pricing, to energy efficiency, to innovations in new technologies—and learn about how to do so in a way that achieves success across the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Big tech has as much if not more influence on geopolitics than some nation-states. Meta's platforms have been influential in domestic and international politics, Microsoft has been thwarting cyber attacks from foreign states, and TikTok has cut off Russia to prevent state-sponsored disinformation from thriving on the platform. Because of their unique influence on society, it is imperative that diplomats involve big tech companies in discussions about human rights and national security. In 2017, the Danish government introduced the concept of tech diplomacy when it appointed a Tech Ambassador to Silicon Valley to engage directly with decision makers at large technology and internet companies. Since then, a handful of other European countries have followed suit. The tech diplomacy landscape has been dominated by a European perspective, but that is beginning to change. Brazil has recently appointed a tech diplomat. Pakistan is beginning to engage in this space. How will Global South perspectives change the landscape of tech diplomacy?

The session will consider how regulations for data protection influence cooperation in medical science and health research and as such affect the achievement of the SDGs.
Regulations in general are vital for diagnostics to ensure good quality standards in health care while data protection regulations aim at giving control to individuals over their personal data while ensuring the free flow of this personal data between member states in the case of Europe by attempting to unify regulations and ultimately to simplify the regulatory environment for international business.
Advances in medical healthcare, to which data subjects who provide their data can avail, can only occur through advances in scientific research and the amalgamation of personal health data. The ability to access masses of health data through global collaboration is paramount to create new diagnostic tools. These tools can help address global health care shorts falls and identify more appropriate treatment for patients.
Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in particular, as with any substantive regulatory reform, has had unintended consequences, most notably regarding joint research enterprises, even within the direct scope of Europe, a relatively homogenous region, due to the significant differences in how people approach to privacy. This is compounded by the extraterritorial scope of this regulation and beyond the European GDPR that there are other regions and countries with other regulations, so it is vital to unify these to the SDG on health.
There is a societal benefit in reusing data for appropriate purposes and subject to appropriate safeguard yet fragmentation continues to exist that prevents research collaboration as there is no overarching jurisdiction to govern international collaborations.
The session will consider these issues and speakers will share their own expertise to develop potential mechanisms and recommendations for collaboration

The session will consider how regulations for data protection influence cooperation in medical science and health research and as such affect the achievement of the SDGs.
Regulations in general are vital for diagnostics to ensure good quality standards in health care while data protection regulations aim at giving control to individuals over their personal data while ensuring the free flow of this personal data between member states in the case of Europe by attempting to unify regulations and ultimately to simplify the regulatory environment for international business.
Advances in medical healthcare, to which data subjects who provide their data can avail, can only occur through advances in scientific research and the amalgamation of personal health data. The ability to access masses of health data through global collaboration is paramount to create new diagnostic tools. These tools can help address global health care shorts falls and identify more appropriate treatment for patients.
Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in particular, as with any substantive regulatory reform, has had unintended consequences, most notably regarding joint research enterprises, even within the direct scope of Europe, a relatively homogenous region, due to the significant differences in how people approach to privacy. This is compounded by the extraterritorial scope of this regulation and beyond the European GDPR that there are other regions and countries with other regulations, so it is vital to unify these to the SDG on health.
There is a societal benefit in reusing data for appropriate purposes and subject to appropriate safeguard yet fragmentation continues to exist that prevents research collaboration as there is no overarching jurisdiction to govern international collaborations.
The session will consider these issues and speakers will share their own expertise to develop potential mechanisms and recommendations for collaboration

The global food production system has become increasingly complex and intertwined with the domains of trade, security, and finance. At the same time, it continues to be very vulnerable to climate impacts such as floods, tropical cyclones, wildfires, droughts, and heatwaves - that are becoming more and more common in an unstable climate. Moreover, globalization makes it more probable that these impacts will trigger events that will cascade from one region to another. A drought in one major breadbasket region, followed by increased food prices may pose a threat to the security of food import-dependent regions on the other side of the globe. Extreme weather events may not only directly hit food production sites but also major transportation routes and hubs, disrupting critical supply chains on a global scale. On top of that, more and more voices raise the issue of how biodiversity, communities, lands, and the environment are affected globally by food production practices, and how food production itself accelerates the climate crisis.
From these considerations, the following questions arise: How do we feed the global population while staying within ecological limits? How can this be done sustainably and in collaboration with local communities/partners around the world? How can we foster collaboration to plan and implement a global food system that is effective, efficient, sustainable, and just, for all? The Cascading Climate Impacts simulation creates a playground to explore those questions.
The Cascading Climate Impacts simulation is an online, narrative-oriented experience that brings the participants to the near future. The simulation is arranged within a virtual conference center, as a series of collective decisions preceded by several meetings and discussions. Participants assume the roles of representatives of various countries and organizations responsible for global safety and well-being. In these roles, they explore several interactive storylines offering diverse perspectives. They are confronted with a scenario of dramatic events caused by and connected to the climate crisis. Participants are invited to work together to decide on policy propositions for counteracting the emerging crises. The immersive character of their experience stimulates imagination, invokes emotions, encourages learning and knowledge sharing, and motivates action.

PLEASE JOIN ONLINE SESSION
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86285974583?pwd=Nnc3dTdkMnA2bjBKMTR0dlRTQWtadz09

Maria Julieta Ansaldi
Titulo: “Implementación del Protocolo de Nagoya sobre ABS en Argentina”
La charla “Implementación del Protocolo de Nagoya sobre ABS en Argentina” hace su partida en los elementos básicos del Convenio sobre la Diversidad Biológica y su Protocolo de Nagoya, resume brevemente el proceso que implica la adopción de las disposiciones de este tratado internacional en la legislación argentina y, además, conoceremos la normativa nacional que regula el acceso y la utilización de los recursos genéticos, los actores clave, el sistema de gobierno federal argentino y el estado actual de la implementación.

Silvana Cima y Claudia Rodriguez
Expondremos en forma conjunta una breve reseña sobre los antecedentes normativos y la regulación actual del acceso a recursos naturales y genéticos en la provincia de Misiones, la cual desde el año 2002 cuenta con normas que establecen procedimientos y obligaciones para quienes utilicen sus recursos naturales y genéticos con fines de investigación, y que con posterioridad a la implementación del Protocolo de Nagoya, ha ampliado su marco normativo en consonancia con el derecho internacional vigente.

Fernando McKay
The present work aims to describe the current status of the adoption of the Nagoya Protocol in South America; examine the number of internationally recognized certificates of compliance (IRCC) of the NP, as an indication of the research conducted in compliance of the ABS system in each country and, whenever possible, analyze the proportion of permits to access genetic resources and IRCCs issued in South America that involve biological control projects. It also illustrates the variability that exists between jurisdictions in obtaining export permits for biological control agents using an example from Argentina. Finally, it provides some conclusions and recommendations to promote a more effective and efficient exchange of biocontrol genetic resources and ABS regulations in South America.

Dyna Rochmyaningsih
Historically speaking, Southeast Asia has attracted scientists and capitalists to study its natural beauty as well as exploiting its natural resources. However, after the countries independence from Western colonialism, some cases of biopiracy continues. Governments (Indonesia and the Philippines) have imposed strict laws governing biological research to avoid more biopiracy cases. But some scientists think it hampers biological research. I will present some cases that shows this complex interaction between national authority and the pursuit of science.

Recent progress has been made in encouraging students to take an active role in their learning in higher education, providing perspectives for them to actively participate in this process, through critical reflection and analysis of topics.
Considering the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, this session aims to discuss the added value of active learning strategies and creative ways of engaging students to appreciate Science. Sharing experiences to dynamize the class and engage students, encouraging critical thinking and improving their learning experience will be discussed. This session also addresses the point of view of the students' perspective, in particular major strengths, and weaknesses.
Therefore, the implementation of combined active methodologies as the World Café learning method, problem-based learning, mentored projects, oriented to the student’s independent work and active learning are in progress within the biomedical field. In addition, the Collaborative Online International Learning initiative, based on the involvement of teachers and students, with different geographical origins, language, and culture, for the development of collaborative teaching and learning experiences using online communication tools aims to promote an additional opportunity to complement the development of technical-scientific skills.
As a key message, several promising experiences increasing the dynamism of classes will be shared, although a constant effort is required by the two players (teachers and students) in developing cooperative and collaborative work skills and improving new learning methods in the biomedical field. Also important is to consider learning breaks, with the inclusion of physical activity to promote students’ well-being, crucial for their academic, professional, and social success.

Russia’s war of genocide against Ukraine is having a direct negative impact on climate change and sustainable development in energy, food security and global poverty.  Ukrainian climate scientist  Svitlana Krakovska speaks of the fossil fuel war. Ukraine is committed to the Paris Climate Accord. It has an active program to fulfil Agenda 2030 goals internally and contribute to the global effort through Ukraine’s research and advanced technology development.
Russia’s war has resulted in significant damage to research facilities in Ukraine. There are multiple examples of theft and destruction of research instruments by Russian occupying forces.
Now young scientists in Ukraine have been mobilized to fight the invaders. After Russia stops its war and withdraws its forces, Ukraine will face the challenge of reopening research labs and retaining vitally needed scientists for research programs in Ukraine and with international partners.
Ukraine is committed to climate change and UN Agenda 2030. It is seeking international partners to help renew facilities and capabilities damaged by the war as well as to make its contribution to meeting global challenges.
The session will present how Ukrainian science is coping with the irrational onslaught of state-sponsored terrorism and identify areas with high potential for partnerships with other countries and international organizations to advance UN Sustainable Development Goals and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Keywords: Russia's war in Ukraine, Science at risk, Antifragility, Sustainable Development Goals: SDG4 Quality Education,  SDG7 Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG8 Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG13 Climate Action, SDG16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and SDG17 Partnerships for the Goals

Peatlands cover about 11.2% of the land area of Latvia with significant biodiversity. Peat is also an important economic resource of Latvia generating about 220 million euros in exports principally in the form of peat used for horticulture in Germany, Netherlands, UK, and other countries. Degraded peatland resulting from removal of top layers of peat can become a significant emitter of greenhouse gasses (GHG).  Latvia is developing a model for sustainable use of peatlands that minimizes GHG emissions while preserving biodiversity and fostering economic development in rural areas that need to create meaningful work.In 2019 Latvia concluded the project “Sustainable and Responsible  Management and Re-use of Degraded Peatlands in Latvia’’ (LIFE14 CCM/ LV/001103, LIFE REstore) presenting the scientific evidence for sustainable use of peatlands. This session will update developments in since the project was completed 31 August 2019 affirming the continuing relevance of the research conducted in Latvia on peatlands. The issue is very important for Latvia due to the position advanced by advocates of peatland restoration that oppose the economic use of peatlands. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59195535. Models used by the IPPC to estimate GHG emissions assume that extracted peat is used as a fuel and burned rather than as a soil substrate in horticulture. Analysis shows that soil substrates from alternatives to peat generate more GHGs. Extraction, packaging and shipping of peat from rural areas in Latvia creates much needed meaningful work and thereby contributes to meeting UN SDGs. dArguments for banning use of peat for agriculture need to also consider that substitutes for peat may result in greater global GHC emissions than well-managed use of peatlands coupled with both restoration of degraded peatlands and investment to grow cranberries and other health promoting crops.  Peat for horticulture is a significant export of Latvia. Sustainable economic use of degraded peatlands is possible further contributing to sustainable development of rural regions in Latvia that have seen significant reduction in their population and the quality of education, health and other services for the people that remain in regions with declining economic activity.  Latvia offers a model for sustainable use of peatlands that can be adapted to similar regions in other parts of the world.