“Harnessing Digital Technologies to Advance SDG Indicator Monitoring”

2026 STI Forum Side Event

（Draft Zero）

Date & Time: 5 May 202613:15 - 14:30 (EST, New York time) 

Venue:  Meeting room XXX

Permanent Mission of the Republic of Maldives to United Nations

Second Avenue, 43 Street
New York, NY 10017, USA

Co-hosted by:

• International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS)
• United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)
• Permanent Mission of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations

13:15-13:25 Opening Remarks

Facilated by Mr. Wei Liu, IATT Coordinator,DSDG, UNDESA

• Mr. Juwang Zhu, Acting Director, DSDG, UNDESA(if available)
• Mr. Huadong Guo, Director General, CBAS
• Ms. Hui LUO, Executive Secretary, Director General of the Department of International Affairs, China Association of Science and Technology (CAST) (TBC)
• Representative, Permanent Mission of Maldives to the United Nations (TBC)

13:25-13:40 Keynote Speech

Facilated by Mr. Wei Liu, IATT Coordinator,DSDG, UNDESA

• Introduction to Digital Sustainable Development Goals Programme (DSP), Mr. Huadong Guo, General Director, CBAS (15 mins)

13:40-14:20Interactive Discussion

Facilated by Mr. Gensuo Jia, Professor, CBAS

• Mr. David Sandalow,Inaugural Fellow, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University; Former Acting Under Secretary of Energy, U.S. Department of Energy (TBC)
• Mr. Felix Xavier Estico, Secretary of State for Science, Technology & Innovation, Seychelles (TBC)
• Mr. Sandro Ferreirasemedo,  Geoinformation Specialist, United Nations Global Geospatial Information Knowledge and Innovation Center (TBC)
• Representative, World Federation of Engineering Organizations (TBD)
• Mr. Jian Zhang, Vice Dean, Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Tsinghua University
• TBD
• TBD

14:20-14: 25 Announcement of the International Consensus Document

Facilated by Mr. Zhongchang Sun, Professor, CBAS

  “Regional Demonstration and Pilot Research for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) under the Digital Sustainable Development Goals Programme (DSP) Framework”

14:25-14:30 Closing Remarks

Facilated by Mr. Zhongchang Sun, Professor, CBAS

• TBD

Annex I

Guiding questions for Interactive Discussions

·Addressing Data Gaps in SIDS：“Small Island Developing States face unique structural challenges in SDG monitoring, including limited in-situ data collection capacity and geographic isolation. How can the DSP framework, through satellite observation systems like SDGSAT-1 and AI-powered analytics, effectively bridge these persistent data gaps particularly for indicators related to coastal ecosystems, water resources, and climate resilience?”

·From Static Reporting to Dynamic Monitoring: “Traditional SDG reporting often relies on static, lagging indicators. How can AI-enhanced, cloud-enabled digital indicator systems transform SDG monitoring into real-time, dynamic decision-support tools for SIDS policymakers? What concrete examples from the six interconnected domains (ecosystems, urban systems, food systems, energy, water, and climate-disasters) demonstrate this transformative potential?”

·Interoperability and Open Science: The DSP promotes open science principles and shared digital public goods. What interoperable data standards and collaborative frameworks are essential to ensure that AI-driven digital indicators remain accessible, scalable, and adaptable across different SIDS regions (AIMS, Caribbean, and Pacific)?

·Capacity Building and Technology Transfer: Drawing from the Beijing SIDS Workshop experience, what sustained capacity-building mechanisms such as training on Digital technologies are most critical for enabling SIDS institutions to independently monitor SDG progress? How can partnerships between CBAS, UN agencies, and SIDS governments institutionalize these capabilities at the national level?"

·Science-Policy Interface: How can digital technologies strengthen the science-policy interface in SIDS, enabling evidence-based decision-making for sustainable development? In what ways can AI-derived insights from digital indicators directly inform national STI roadmaps, climate adaptation strategies, and the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS)?"

·Towards a Shared Vision for Post-2030: As we look beyond 2030, what shared commitments should the international community make to scale digital innovation for SDG monitoring in SIDS? How can this side event catalyze coordinated investments, sustained 

satellite data-sharing mechanisms, and global partnerships that position digital technologies 

satellite data-sharing mechanisms, and global partnerships that position digital technologies

and AI as trusted, enabling forces for sustainable development governance in the post-2030 era?"