Building Bridges in Geneva: Advancing STI for the LDCs

By Burcu Tamgaç Mörel, Associate Programme Management Officer

Partnerships are at the heart of everything we do at the UN Technology Bank. Every day, I witness how science, technology, and innovation (STI) can transform lives in the world’s Least Developed Countries (LDCs)—but only if we build the right bridges and create genuine opportunities for collaboration.

In August 2025, I had the privilege of accompanying our Managing Director, Mr. Deodat Maharaj, on a mission to Geneva. Over two days, we engaged with Permanent Missions, UN agencies, and international organizations, all with one goal in mind: strengthening partnerships to ensure LDCs are not left behind in the era of STI.

One of the highlights of the mission was delivering the Executive Briefing at the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) which was our first dedicated session to introduce the Bank’s mandate and our new Strategic Plan 2025–2027 to the Geneva community.

Walking into the Palais des Nations, I felt both excitement and responsibility. This was our moment to tell the UN Technology Bank story to explain why this institution matters so deeply for LDCs. Representatives from over 25 countries and colleagues from ITU, UNESCO, UNCTAD, UNDRR, and the OIC joined us. Their engagement and follow-up requests showed that the appetite to collaborate is strong and growing.

Beyond the briefing, we held a series of bilateral meetings that left me optimistic about the road ahead:

• Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Explored support for our new STI Leaders Programme and ways to expand engagement in Riyadh.
• European Union Delegation: Agreed to continue conversations to align on shared priorities.
• Switzerland: Discussed tapping into Switzerland’s strong research ecosystem, including initiatives like the DIPLO Foundation and the GIGA project.
• World Meteorological Organization (WMO): Identified ways their expertise can feed into our Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs) in LDCs.
• Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) at WTO: Explored linking STI and trade, including EIF’s interest in supporting future TNAs.

Each of these conversations reinforced the same truth: partnerships are not just formalities—they are the spark that can turn ideas into impact.

Key Takeaways from Geneva

• Raising Visibility: The mission strengthened the UN Technology Bank’s profile within Geneva’s multilateral community.
• Forging Partnerships: Clear next steps and follow-ups are already in motion, solidifying collaborative opportunities.
• Growing Demand: Multiple Permanent Missions and agencies reached out for further engagement, signaling the need for the Bank’s expertise.

 Looking Ahead

Reflecting on this mission, I feel grateful for the energy and openness we encountered in Geneva. The discussions were not just about policy, they were about people, priorities, and possibilities.

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 will not be possible unless LDCs can harness STI to drive inclusive development. This mission reminded me why the work of the UN Technology Bank matters, and why we must keep building bridges between countries, between institutions, and between ideas and action.

I left Geneva with a stronger sense of purpose and a renewed commitment to ensure that no country is left behind in the age of science, technology, and innovation.