The Forum provided a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and actionable outcomes. The discussions centred on addressing critical challenges that hinder scientific progress and sustainable development, emphasizing the need for coordinated global action. One of the key issues identified was the fragmented funding landscape, where a lack of coordination among funders has resulted in isolated efforts and underutilised resources, particularly in the Global South. Participants also acknowledged the underutilisation of research and innovation, pointing to the gap between scientific discoveries and their practical applications. This disconnect has impeded the scalability of solutions that could significantly impact sustainable development. Additionally, the Forum recognised capacity gaps within scientific ecosystems, which have limited many countries in the Global South from fully engaging with global scientific initiatives due to constraints in institutional and human capacity.
Another major challenge discussed was the misalignment of stakeholder goals. Various actors, including governments, research institutions, civil society, and private sector representatives, often operate independently, making it difficult to achieve synergy in addressing global priorities like the SDGs and the International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development. Participants emphasized the need for enhanced South-South and Triangular Cooperation to foster collaboration among developing countries while ensuring support from developed nations and international organizations. This cooperation is critical for sharing resources, expertise, and technology to accelerate progress.
During discussions, participants showcased several impactful initiatives. Efforts to strengthen local research infrastructure and foster innovation hubs in the Global South were highlighted under the Research Ecosystems theme. In the area of Capacity Development, programs aimed at training researchers, enhancing institutional capabilities, and promoting gender equity in science were presented. Open Science initiatives emphasised the democratization of access to scientific knowledge and data, ensuring inclusivity and transparency. Meanwhile, Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) projects explored ways to integrate local and indigenous knowledge systems into sustainable development strategies.
Funders played an active role in the Forum, engaging in dedicated sessions to assess the needs and potential impact of various initiatives. These engagements led to the identification of new funding opportunities for high-impact projects, commitments to support capacity-building programs and technology transfer initiatives, and the exploration of innovative financing mechanisms such as blended finance and public-private partnerships.
The Forum also promoted strategic partnerships among stakeholders, paving the way for joint research initiatives aimed at addressing climate change and environmental degradation. Collaborative platforms were established to facilitate the exchange of best practices and innovative technologies, while regional networks were strengthened to encourage South-South and Triangular Cooperation. As a result of the Forum, several tangible outcomes were achieved, including enhanced partnerships among funders, stakeholders, and leaders of science programs, the identification of new funding opportunities for key projects, and the creation of a practical roadmap for collaboration, funding, and implementation.