UNU-MERIT is pleased to announce that its UNESCO Chair on Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Latin America has been renewed by UNESCO for a further four-year term, extending its mandate until 31 December 2030. The renewal follows a successful evaluation by UNESCO, recognising the Chair's strong record of research, policy engagement, capacity development, and international collaboration over the past four years.
Held by Professor Carlo Pietrobelli, the UNESCO Chair has become one of UNU-MERIT's flagship initiatives, strengthening evidence-based science, technology and innovation (STI) policy across Latin America while fostering dialogue between researchers, policymakers, international organisations, and practitioners.
Over the past year alone, the Chair has continued to expand its reach through policy-relevant research on critical minerals, industrial policy, digital and green transitions, quality infrastructure, and global value chains. Its work has informed policy discussions with governments and international organisations, contributed to major international conferences and dialogues, supported executive training for policymakers, and strengthened collaboration with partners including UNESCO, UNIDO, UNCTAD, the Inter-American Development Bank, ECLAC, OECD, and the World Bank. At the same time, the Chair has remained deeply engaged with students and early-career researchers through PhD training, research sessions at international conferences and collaboration with academic networks across the region. This has included the PhD Academy and policy panels organised with the LALICS network in Brazil, as well as UNU-MERIT’s PhD Summer School on the Economics of the Twin Transitions.
"We are delighted that UNESCO has renewed UNU-MERIT's UNESCO Chair on Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Latin America for a further four years. This renewal recognises the outstanding work led by Professor Carlo Pietrobelli and the many colleagues and partners who have contributed to the Chair's success. Over the past four years, the Chair has established itself as a leading platform for research, policy dialogue, capacity development, and international collaboration, strengthening evidence-based policymaking across Latin America and beyond. We look forward to building on this strong foundation in the years ahead."
I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of the first four years of the Chair. The Chair has been an example of multilateralism at work. By bringing together universities, policymakers, UN agencies, and development partners around shared challenges, we managed to show how collaborative, evidence-based approaches can advance sustainable development.
Our Chair has demonstrated exceptional reach and relevance, combining advanced research with direct policy engagement across Latin America. Its work has included training for policymakers in Honduras and contributions to high-level policy dialogue involving governments from Panama, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, alongside engagement with institutions and partners across the region.
Looking ahead, the renewed Chair will continue to advance research, education, policy advice, and capacity development on science, technology and innovation for sustainable development. It will further strengthen partnerships across Latin America and internationally, while supporting governments and institutions in designing evidence-based policies that foster inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development.
As one of UNU-MERIT's flagship programmes, the UNESCO Chair will remain a cornerstone of the Institute's engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean. Through rigorous research, high-level policy dialogue, executive education, and international partnerships, it will continue to maximise the impact of science, technology and innovation in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and contributing to more inclusive and sustainable societies.
