UN Technology Bank Council adopts new Strategic Plan 2025 鈥� 2027 with a forensic focus on results

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Press Release 31 January 2025

Istanbul - 鈥�This Strategic Plan will set the stage for a transformative new chapter for the UN Technology Bank鈥� - Under Secretary-General UN-OHRLLS, Rabab Fatima

The 2025-2027 Strategic Plan for the UN Technology Bank (UNTB) 鈥楧elivering Results for the Least Developed Countries鈥� was approved by the Governing Council at their 9^th Session in Istanbul, T眉rkiye today.

The Strategy charts a new direction for the UNTB in its efforts to secure a sustainable future for the world鈥檚 poorest countries, using science, technology and innovation (STI). Its associated workplan will enable the world鈥檚 44 Least Developed countries (LDCs) to access a wealth of knowledge, policy guidance and capacity-building targeted directly at their development needs.

Deodat Maharaj, Managing Director of the UN Technology Bank said:

鈥�Under this new Strategic Plan, the UN Technology Bank will position itself as the 鈥榞o-to鈥� place for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to strengthen their science, technology and innovation capacities. In 2025, our role is more important than ever. Rapid technological and digital advances offer enormous potential for the world鈥檚 most vulnerable countries to change their development path. Our strategy is designed to deliver high-impact low-cost solutions intended to drive transformational change in LDCs.鈥�

At the meeting, Mr. Maharaj outlined opportunities for the UNTB to explore, including leveraging the impetus generated by the 2024 UN Pact for the Future and its associated Digital Compact, which provides an inclusive framework for bridging the digital divide. Only of citizens in LDCs uses the Internet, a point raised by Council members in their discussions.

Opening the session, Prof. Hasan Mandal, Chair of the Council said:

鈥淭his meeting is of particular importance as it represents both a culmination of our efforts over the past year and an opportunity to shape our future.鈥� His views were echoed by H.E. Rabab Fatima, Under Secretary-General UN-ONHRLLS, who said it would set the stage for a transformative new chapter for the UN Technology Bank (UNTB).

The 2025-2027 Strategic Plan was developed in close consultation with experts in STI and clients from across the LDCs, ensuring that UNTB initiatives dovetail with the development agendas of client countries.

Key takeaways include:

Driving investments and building capacities in STI while helping to create an enabling climate for science, technology and innovation;
Closer engagement with policymakers to deliver results in high priority sectors like artificial intelligence to help drive transformation in LDCs; and
Strengthening the knowledge brokering role of the UN Technology Bank by connecting governments, centers of excellence and the private sector to deliver solutions and help create jobs and opportunities in LDCs.

The , , , , , , , WIPO and the Government of T眉rkiye attended the meeting as Observers.

ENDS

For media inquiries or further information, please contact: flaminia.maldicolombo@un.org

As the 51吃瓜 entity dedicated to enhancing the STI capacities of LDCs, the 51吃瓜 Technology Bank plays a pivotal role in facilitating access to knowledge, technologies, and technical assistance essential for these countries, empowering them to leverage science, technology and innovation for accelerated sustainable development.