Science, Technology and Innovation in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) plays a key role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly on the issues that concern human well-being, such as food, health, clean water and sanitation, clean energy, climate change and economic growth. This book contains 19 chapters contributed by authors from nine countries, namely, Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Iraq, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Somalia. Section – I of the book deals with application of STI for meeting basic human needs such as food, water and health in five chapters. Sustainable living and social issues such as quality education, socio-economic empowerment of rural women, tribal settlements and their livelihoods are discussed in Section – II of the book consisting of five chapters. Section – III of the book consisting of five chapters focuses on sustainable use of natural resources - aquifers, oceans and seas and significant role of STI in conserving these resources for sustainable development. Section – IV of the book has four chapters and emphasizes on global partnership involving governments, civil society, private sector and international organizations to mobilize resources, share knowledge and tackle global challenges, aiming to create a more inclusive and cooperative global framework for sustainable development. The book provides a comprehensive reference for governments, policymakers, international institutions, civil society organizations, researchers and other stakeholders interested in different issues on sustainable development and receiving guidance on achieving the SDGs within a reasonable timeline.

Dr. Poonam Veer Ramjeawon manages the Blue and Green Innovation portfolio and the Regional and International Cooperation Programme at the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC). She was also the MRIC Project Lead for the EU funded “Transformation of the Waste Sector towards a Waste-energy Nexus in the Southwest Indian Ocean Region (TWENex)” Project, implemented by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) in collaboration with the MRIC. She has more than 34 years of work experience in coordinating multi-disciplinary projects in Mauritius and India. She holds a Ph. D. degree in Knowledge Management, M.Sc. in Agricultural Communication and Extension and B.Sc. (Hons).

Madhusudan Bandyopadhyay is a Postgraduate in Food and Biochemical Engineering and has been engaged in diverse fields of science, technology and industry. Mr. Bandyopadhyay started his career in a multinational corporation, and also worked in an Indian public sector undertaking - with responsibilities on technology transfer and project management in Food Processing Industries. He served the Government of India for about 30 years, where he managed many national and international programmes on S&T policy and management including international S&T cooperation, and technopreneurship development. Currently, he is working as Senior Adviser in the NAM S&T Centre [An Intergovernmental Organization], where he is responsible for managing activities on South-South Cooperation in Science and Technology, Science Diplomacy, and Sustainable Development.

Dr. Rabindra Prasad Dhakal is the Secretary of Nepal Academy of Science and Technology. He had served as a Chief of Faculty of Technology to Nepal Academy of Science and Technology from 2018 to 2023 and also serving as Spokesperson of NAST from 2021 to 2023. He received his M.Sc. (1995) in Chemistry from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal and received Doctor of Engineering Degree in Chemical Engineering from Saga University, Saga, Japan.

Dr. Dumisani Mthembu worked as a Game Ranger for a KwaZulu Natal Nature Conservation Agency for 10 years, specializing in protected area management, biodiversity conservation management and marine resource management. In 2004, he joined government in water resource management and regulation with a specific focus on commercial afforestation licensing and management. He is a former Director of the Department of Environmental Affairs responsible for administration and evaluation of applications for Environmental Impact Assessments authorizations for development projects initiated by the Government and State-Owned Companies. Since 2012, Dr. Mthembu has been employed as a Senior Specialist responsible for Multilateral Environmental Agreements and represents government in the international negotiations; particularly climate change negotiations, with a specific focus on technology development and transfer.