The Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) is a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations focal point for science, technology and innovation (STI) for development, in analyzing how STI, including information and communications technologies (ICTs), serve as enablers of the 2030 Agenda.

It acts as a forum for strategic planning, sharing lessons learned and best practices, providing foresight about critical trends in STI in key sectors of the economy, the environment and society, and drawing attention to emerging and disruptive technologies.

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has hosted the secretariat of the commission since 1993.

Priority themes

Every year, the commission has two priority themes, for the twenty-eighth session, these are:

• Theme 1: Diversifying economies in a world of accelerated digitalization
• Theme 2: Technology foresight and technology assessment for sustainable development

The Commission will also review the progress made in the implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society at the regional and international levels; and hear presentations on ongoing science, technology and innovation policy reviews.