UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier open the first meeting of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the UN Secretary-General in Berlin.

The SAB is composed of 26 eminent scientists from all regions and a wide range of disciplines. It will advise the UN Secretary-General and leaders of UN Organizations on matters of science, technology and innovation for sustainable development. 24 SAB members attend the inaugural meeting in Berlin.

It is the first such body set up by the UN Secretary-General to influence and shape action by the international community to advance sustainable development and eradicate poverty, and was established following extensive consultations entrusted to UNESCO by Mr Ban. UNESCO hosts the SAB Secretariat.

The Board will promote the importance of science, technology and innovation for the post-2015 sustainable development agenda, its pivotal role as game-changer and enabler of green growth, employment creation and better life conditions worldwide.

The agenda for the inaugural meeting includes discussions on the Board’s role and functions; strengthening linkages of science to policy; linkage of science to high-level policy discussions within the UN system and priorities and up-to-date issues on science for sustainable development.

The meeting is organized in cooperation with the German Foreign Ministry and the German National Commission for UNESCO. It is also be attended by the Executive Heads of other UN organizations and high-level officials from the German government.

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http://www.demotix.com/news/3796498/un-sg-ban-ki-moon-opens-scientific-advisory-board-sab-berlin#media-3797395