SI participation at the UN 11th annual Forum on Science, Technology and Innovatio for the SDGs

The UNITED NATIONS 11th Annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (STI Forum)

By Rachel Elion Baird, Main Representative to the UN-NY

Convened by ECOSOC, the forum was held from Wednesday, 6 May, to Thursday, 7 May 2026 in Conference Room 4 at the UN Headquarters in New York.

The theme of the STI Forum closely aligned with that of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) which the Servas UN-NY Team will attend in July, “Transformative, equitable and coordinated science, technology and innovation for the 2030 Agenda and a sustainable future for all.”

The STI Forum exclusively focused on the role and contributions of science, technology and innovation to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, holding in-depth reviews of five SDGs: SDG 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; SDG 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; SDG 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation; SDG 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; and SDG 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

Servas International’s Main Representative to the UN-NY, Rachel Elion Baird, was a guest speaker on the panel: Girls in Energy Village and Global Solidarity: She Powers the Planet:  Girls in Energy at the Frontline - Innovate, Illuminate and Inspire for Science, Technology and Innovation- Driven Energy Transition Catalyzing Energy Justice.

Highlighting SDGs 7, 9, and 17, this panel shared a replicable model of how to grow support for youth innovation from the ground up, including structures for sustainable solar grid-electricity to power remote villages, community modeling, educational framework, mentoring, governmental programs and global participation in support of girls in STEM as future STI leaders.

Members of ECOSOC NGO and fellow board member of CoNGO, Do The Dream, Youth Development Initiative, a speaker for the permanent mission to Nigeria and a presenter for MAC TAY Foundation (a co-funder of the initiative) also presented.

Servas spoke specifically to the power of global networks and evidence-based community development for sustainable peace and thriving communities. Giving our Peace School model as well as the Girls in Energy Village structured components as examples of how global organizations can collaborate and resource for grassroots needs by shaping models and resources to each location’s specific needs and engaging community participation and support.

International organizations like Servas can build grassroots energy justice and innovation via our membership, volunteering to foster cross-cultural dialog, sharing, and mentorship for girls in STI.