Financial Mechanism and Resources

T20 (Technical cooperation): How to Use GEF Funding

This page aims to provide information regarding the capacity-building and development, access to and transfer of technology, and development of and access to innovation and technical and scientific cooperation, including through South-South, North-South and triangular cooperation, for recipient Parties and relevant stakeholders, including how to access funding of the Global Environment Facility in this regard. It is a work in progress and will be updated as necessary.

Financial support of the Global Environment Facility

GEF-financed projects related to clearing-house mechanism, technologies and technical cooperation, and capacity building

All Integrated Programs through their regional or global coordination platforms.

Guidance to the financial mechanism

The Conference of the Parties has invited the Global Environment Facility to support:

• Preparation of national assessments of technology needs for implementation of the Convention, and promotion of access to, transfer of and cooperation for joint development of technology (Decision X/24, annex, para. 4.12; X/25, para. 14; X/16, para. 3(c); XIII/21, annex II, para. 24)
• Strengthening biodiversity information systems such as, inter alia, training, technology and processes related to the collection, organization, maintenance and updating of data and information, and building capacity for the clearing-house mechanism, such as training in information and communication technologies and web content management that enable developing countries and countries with economies in transition to fully benefit from modern communication, including the Internet (Decision X/24, annex, para. 4.13; X/25, para. 15; X/15, para. 4; XIII/21, annex II, para. 25)
• Project components addressing targeted research which contributes to conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components including research for reversing current trends of biodiversity loss and species extinction (Decision X/24, annex, para. 4.9; XIII/21, annex II, para. 21)
• National, regional and global biodiversity monitoring systems, recognizing the need for enhanced international cooperation and capacity-building especially for developing countries; (15/5, para. 5)
• Support eligible activities of the regional and/or subregional technical and scientific cooperation support centres and the global coordination entity contributing to technical and scientific cooperation, technology transfer, and capacity-building and development at global, regional, subregional and national levels, as appropriate; (15/8, para. 29)

Guidance for Parties

Planning

• Consider including the preparation of technology needs assessments in the revision and updating of national biodiversity strategies and action plans, and identify further areas in which international or regional cooperative initiatives would support implementation of the Convention; (X/16, para. 3(a); VII/29, para. 10)

Conservation and Restoration

• Assess needs for relevant technologies for protected area management involving indigenous and local communities and stakeholders such as the, research institutions, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, encourage development and use of appropriate technology, including technologies of indigenous and local communities with their participation, approval and involvement in accordance with Article 8(j) and Related Provisions, for habitat rehabilitation and restoration, resource mapping, biological inventory, and rapid assessment of biodiversity, monitoring, in situ and ex situ conservation, sustainable use, etc., promote an enabling environment for the transfer of technology to improve protected area management, and increase technology transfer and cooperation to improve protected area management; (VII/28, annex, goal 3.3; IX/18A, para. 7)
• Promote best practices and appropriate technologies that can be productively applied to ecosystem restoration; (XI/16, para.1(d))
• Encourage the establishment and establishment use of new technologies including geographic information system and remote sensing tools for monitoring protected areas and for assessing levels of deforestation and impacts on biodiversity; (VII/28, annex, goal 4.3; VI/22, annex, programme element 3, goal 1)

Technologies

• Recognize the important role of, and to promote, science, technology, innovation and other knowledge systems in supporting the implementation of the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework towards achieving the 2050 Vision of living in harmony with nature; (15/8, para. 17)
• Put in place enabling environments, including relevant policies, legislation and incentives, to promote and facilitate technical and scientific cooperation with other Parties, in particular developing country Parties, including through joint research programmes and joint ventures for the development of technologies relevant to the objectives of the Convention, ensuring the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, women and youth; (15/8, para. 19)
• Promote, facilitate and support the development of biodiversity-related technologies and innovations, including biotechnology, as well as locally designed solutions and indigenous technologies of indigenous peoples and local communities, with their free, prior and informed consent, in accordance with national legislation and international instruments, including through incubator programmes relevant to the objectives of the Convention, and to increase technology transfer for all Parties, in particular for developing country Parties; (15/8, para. 20)
• Develop solutions based on innovative technologies embedded in local contexts to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and to address the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals, and to scale up those solutions at the national, subregional and regional levels; (15/8, para. 23)

Thematic Consideration

• Develop regional and subregional research centres and networks for the exchange of research, information, traditional and cultural knowledge and technology concerning dry and sub-humid lands, and promote the introduction of adaptive technologies that enhance productivity of dry and sub-humid lands ecosystems; (IX/17, para. 2; V/23, annex I, activity 7(g))
• Develop and implement mountain-to-mountain cooperation programmes for the exchange of best practices, expertise, information sharing and appropriate technologies, and promote sustainable land-use practices, techniques and technologies, including those of indigenous and local communities and community-based management systems, for the conservation and sustainable use (including pastoralism, hunting and fishing) of wild flora and fauna and agro-biodiversity in mountain ecosystems, including biological pest control; (X/30, para. 16; VII/27, annex, action 1.3.2, 1.5.4 and goal 3.6)
• Identify environmentally appropriate technologies, such as low- cost sewage treatment and recycling of industrial water, to avoid degradation and promote restoration of inland water ecosystems; (VII/4, annex, goal 2.2; IV/4, annex I, para. 9(b)-9(c))
• Encourage space agencies and private entities to maintain deployment of relevant sensors and to initiate design and deployment of specialized technology for shallow-oceans monitoring, develop and transfer quieter technologies to minimize the significant adverse impacts of anthropogenic underwater noise on marine biodiversity, and promote the use of the traditional, scientific, technical and technological knowledge of indigenous and local communities at the national level, with their full and effective participation, in support of marine and coastal biological diversity; (IV/5, annex, programme element 4; IX/20, para. 27; V/3, annex, A; XI/18A, para. 18(c); XII/22, para. 15; XII/23, para. 3(c))
• Assess and identify suitable technology for conserving island biodiversity, at all scales, determine the most effective means to facilitate effective transfer of knowledge and technology to maximize their use at the local level, share information on appropriate technologies on a regional and subregional basis, establish protocols for access to and transfer of technology of benefit to island biodiversity, respect and facilitate the exchange of knowledge on indigenous island technologies among indigenous and local communities, consistent with article 8(j), and increase national and regional information networking capacity to facilitate broader access to and transfer of technology of benefit to island biodiversity; (VIII/1, annex, priority action 11.2.1, 11.2.2, 11.3.2.3)
• Support the development of the international barcode of life network, of DNA sequence-based technology (DNA barcoding) and associated DNA barcode reference libraries for priority taxonomic groups of organisms, to promote the application of these techniques for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and train a new generation of taxonomists, able to work flexibly and collaboratively and taking stock of new and emerging technologies and tools; (XIII/31, para. 6(g); X/39, para. 15(f))
• Monitor and assess the actual and potential impacts of existing and new agricultural technologies, and adopt, promote and enforce the use of environmentally friendly technologies that not only increase productivity, but also arrest degradation as well as reclaim, rehabilitate, restore and enhance biological diversity in all production processes; (VIII/1, annex, priority action 4.1.1.2, 4.2.3.5; XIII/3, para. 31; III/11, para. 15(a), 15(e); V/5, annex, programme element 2; VI/5, annex II, para. 2.1(c))
• Prepare transparent impact assessments and risk analysis on the transferred technologies taking into consideration economic viability, social acceptability and environmental benefits, and promote technology transfer for the conservation and sustainable use of important species, wild relatives, neglected and under-utilized species; (IX/16B, annex II, para. 10; VIII/23A, annex, para. 3.10)
• Promote adaptive management approaches for the development and uptake of improved soil biological management practices, technologies and policies that enhance soil health and ecosystem function, and that contribute to sustainable land use; (VIII/23B, annex, activity 2.3)
• Promote methods of sustainable agriculture that employ management practices, technologies and policies that promote the positive and mitigate the negative impacts of agriculture on pollinator diversity, improve pesticide application practices, including technologies to reduce drift, to reduce exposure of pollinators, and establish an inventory of existing pollination and pollinators experts to serve as a pool for consultations in technology transfer, and establish an international advisory group on pollinator conservation; (XIII/15, para. 7(j)-7(n); VI/5, annex II, para. 2.2, 2.3, 3.5)
• Develop and implement a strategy and a plan of action and facilitate transfer of technology to provide infrastructure and training in order to monitor forest biological diversity and develop associated databases, and support regional cooperation on sustainable use of timber and non-timber forest products and services, including through technology transfer and capacity-building within and between regions; (VI/22, annex, programme element 1, goal 4, objective 1(c), 4(g), programme element 2, goal 1, objective 2(i) and programme element 3, goal 4, objective 1(a))
• Promote research and technology development on urban biodiversity, and encourage the establishment of national and regional centres of excellence in urban biodiversity, and biodiversity‑friendly city design, planning and management; (X/22, annex, D, para. (o))
• Support capacity-building and technology transfer, as appropriate, to assist in the access, use, generation and analysis of digital sequence information on genetic resources for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and benefit-sharing; (14/20, para. 3)
• Include research production and technology transfer relevant to access to and use of genetic resources and benefit-sharing in scientific and technical areas, provide capacity-building and technology development and transfer for the maintenance and utilization of ex situ collections, and promote partnerships and technology transfer between users and providers of genetic resources and/or associated traditional knowledge; (VII/19, annex, para. 8(e); V/26C, para. 4; 3/3, para. 9; 3/1, para. 7(g))
• Encourage the application of technology and research and development and innovation regarding mainstreaming biodiversity in the sectors of energy and mining, infrastructure, and manufacturing and processing; (14/3, para. 13(k))
• Develop and use environmentally-sound technologies, and support the development of research programmes and undertake impact assessments, which promote the positive and minimize or avoid the negative impacts of biofuel production and use on biodiversity and impacts on biodiversity that affect related socio-economic conditions; (X/37, para. 10; IX/2, para. 6(a))

Clearing-House Mechanisms and scientific and technical cooperation

• Take practical steps to promote and strengthen relevant networks of institutions and communities of practice to facilitate the exchange of biodiversity-related information, experiences, skills and technical know-how, among others, through networks of national and regional clearing-house mechanisms; (15/8, para. 21)
• Identify and communicate, pursuant to paragraph 6 of decision XIII/23, their biodiversity-related technical and scientific needs and requests for assistance, and invites Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations to register as providers of technical assistance and offer support to address the needs identified by Parties through the central portal of the clearing-house mechanism and the clearing houses of the Protocols, to facilitate capacity-building and development and technical and scientific cooperation; (15/8, para. 18)
• Promote collaborative partnerships for technical and scientific cooperation and technology transfer on a thematic, cross-cutting and/or regional basis, and develop regional clearing-house mechanisms to further promote and facilitate technical and scientific cooperation and the exchange of information on technology transfer at the regional and national levels; (VII/23A, para. 5; XII/2B, para. 10, 11(c); XIII/23, para. 6)
• Carry out activities for the enhancement of the clearing-house mechanism as a key mechanism in technology transfer and technological and scientific cooperation, and develop means to provide access to translation services for scientific and technical information, including by identifying sources of free translation and/or by finding funding for translation; (VIII/12, para. 10; VII/29, para. 8)
• Promote open access to biodiversity-related research results, assessments, maps and databases that facilitates capacity-building as well as technical and scientific cooperation; (14/24B, para. 2; XI/2B, para. 1; VIII/11, para. 3)
• Support the further development of national clearing-house mechanisms to provide effective information services to facilitate the implementation of the national biodiversity strategies and action plans; (14/25, para. 2, 3; XIII/23, para. 6, 12; XII/2B, para. 14-17; XI/2C, para. 19; X/15, para. 2(a) and annex, goal 2; IX/20, para. 2(b)-2(j); III/4, para. 16; IV/2, para. 6)
• Develop regional clearing-house mechanisms to further promote and facilitate technical and scientific cooperation and the exchange of information on technology transfer at the regional and national levels; (XII/2B, para. 10; III/4, para. 15; XIII/23, para. 13; IX/20, para. 2(a); VII/23A, para. 3(a), 5; X/15, para. 2(b))

Capacity building and development

• Use the long-term strategic framework for capacity building and development as a flexible framework in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of their capacity building and development initiatives and programmes supporting the achievement of the vision, mission, goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework; (15/8, para. 4)
• Put in place enabling environments including relevant policies, legislation and administrative measures, as appropriate, to promote and facilitate capacity-building and development at various levels, in partnership with relevant stakeholders, including indigenous peoples and local communities, and women and youth organizations; (15/8, para. 5)
• Identify and prioritize capacity-building and development needs, in partnership with indigenous peoples and local communities, and with the participation of women and youth and other relevant stakeholders, to integrate capacity-building and development components in their national biodiversity strategies and action plans while updating them in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and/or develop dedicated biodiversity capacity building and development action plans, and programmes, as appropriate; (15/8, para. 9)
• Include biodiversity capacity-building and development, as appropriate, in relevant development cooperation frameworks, partnerships and programmes; (15/8, para. 10)
• Enhance and support, in accordance with Articles 16, 18 and 19 of the Convention, capacity-building and development cooperation activities, especially in developing countries, for the implementation of the Convention and its Protocols, as appropriate, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, taking into account synergies between capacity-building and technology transfer and technical and scientific cooperation, including biotechnology research; (15/8, para. 11)

Monitoring and Knowledge Generation

• Support national, regional and global biodiversity monitoring systems, recognizing the need for enhanced international cooperation and capacity-building especially for developing countries; (15/5, para. 5)
• Support community-based monitoring and information systems and citizen science and their contributions to the implementation of the monitoring framework for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework; (15/5, para. 6)

Funding

• Remove any unnecessary impediments to funding of multi-country initiatives for technology transfer and for scientific and technical cooperation; (VII/29, para. 14; IX/14, para. 13))

Partnership and Collaboration

• Encourage and support the engagement of relevant national or regional institutions, including scientific, technical and policy institutes, the Consortium of Scientific Partners on Biodiversity, and indigenous peoples and local communities to contribute to technical and scientific cooperation; (XIII/23, para. 7, 9)
• Foster collaboration with the private sector to mainstream biodiversity in their work to develop specific capacity-building programmes; (XIII/23, para. 8)
• Promote synergies with other conventions and international organizations, when facilitating and implementing capacity-building activities; (XIII/23, para. 16)
• Promote collaborative partnerships for technical and scientific cooperation and technology transfer on a thematic, cross-cutting and/or regional basis; (XII/2B, para. 11(c))

South-South Cooperation

• Establish multi-stakeholder collaborative South-South and triangular cooperation partnerships, including regional and subregional cooperation agreements and associated activities, at subregional and regional levels to address biodiversity concerns at regional, subregional, national and subnational levels, and facilitate projects and programmes aimed at joint conservation and sustainable use of cross border ecosystems to further contribute towards halting biodiversity loss; (IX/25, para. 2, 3 and 5; X/23, para. 3; XI/8D, para. 1, objective 1-3)
• Engage in South-South technology transfer and cooperation on science, technology and innovation, explore alternative models for triangular, regional or multilateral cooperation, as complementary mechanisms to North-South activities, and develop innovative approaches and means of technology transfer and cooperation; (IX/14, para. 13; VII/29, para. 9; IX/11A, para. 5; XII/3, annex IV, para. 12)

Clearing-house mechanism

• Article 18.3: The Conference of the Parties, at its first meeting, shall determine how to establish a clearing-house mechanism to promote and facilitate technical and scientific cooperation.
• At its first and second meetings, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity agreed to establish a pilot phase of the clearing-house mechanism to promote and facilitate technical and scientific cooperation for 1996–1997 (decisions I/3 and II/3)
• In decision V/14, the Conference of the Parties, noted the report of the independent review of the pilot phase, supported the implementation of the first strategic plan of the clearing-house mechanism, for the period 1999–2004, and endorsed a longer-term programme of work for the mechanism. The mechanism was envisioned as the primary global cooperation and information network on biodiversity, to promote and support cost-effective decision-making and the implementation of biodiversity-related initiatives; foster international cooperation; enhance the sharing of relevant technology, information and expertise; and promote linkages and synergies among global initiatives. The primary goals of the first strategic plan were the promotion and facilitation of scientific and technical cooperation; the development of a global mechanism for exchanging and integrating information on biodiversity; and the development of a network of clearing-house mechanism focal points and their partners. (UNEP/CBD/COP/5/INF/2; UNEP/CBD/COP/5/INF/3; UNEP/CBD/COP/5/INF/4)
• In decision VIII/11, the Conference of the Parties adopted an updated strategic plan of the clearing-house mechanism for the period 2005–2010 and a programme of work of the mechanism up to 2010. The updated strategic plan took into account the strengths and weaknesses of the mechanism identified during the second independent review of the mechanism, and sought to address, inter alia, the following issues: clarifying the role and nature of the mechanism; promoting and facilitating technical and scientific cooperation in support of activities conducted at the national and regional levels, as well as activities related to the global thematic programmes of work and the cross-cutting issues of the Convention; the development of non-web-based technologies to facilitate cooperation while improving existing and developing new web-based technologies; building technical capacity at the national level; and mobilizing adequate financial resources to implement and maintain the mechanism.
• In decision XI/2, the Conference of the Parties welcomed the programme of work of the clearing-house mechanism in support of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020. The programme of work was built on the mission, goals and objectives of the mechanism for the period 2011–2020, as adopted in the annex to decision X/15. The development of a biodiversity knowledge network, including a database and network of practitioners, was envisioned in the programme of work to facilitate and support enhanced implementation of the Convention. The development of national clearing-house mechanism nodes comprising networks of experts and linked to the central clearing-house mechanism was also envisioned to facilitate access to the information, expertise and experience required to implement the Convention.
• In decision 15/16, the Conference of the Parties decided to extend the programme of work and to update it in line with the Montreal-Kunming Global Biodiversity Framework and relevant decisions, for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its sixteenth meeting.

Capacity development and strengthening

• Article 12(a): Establish and maintain programmes for scientific and technical education and training in measures for the identification, conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and its components and provide support for such education and training for the specific needs of developing countries;
• Article 18.1: The Contracting Parties shall promote international technical and scientific cooperation in the field of conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, where necessary, through the appropriate international and national institutions.
• Article 18.2: Each Contracting Party shall promote technical and scientific cooperation with other Contracting Parties, in particular developing countries, in implementing this Convention, inter alia, through the development and implementation of national policies. In promoting such cooperation, special attention should be given to the development and strengthening of national capabilities, by means of human resources development and institution building.

Related initiatives

• Biodiversity e-Learning platforms (InforMEA, UNDP, FAO, GEF, etc.)
• CD UNDAF Companion Guidance
• FAO e-learning guide
• GEF NCSA Resource Kit
• UNFCCC toolkit to assess capacity building gaps and needs (2022)

GEF knowledge strategy

To confront the challenges of how to organize, manage and harness its complex and dynamic system of knowledge assets and resources, the GEF launched a Knowledge Management InitiativeiIn December 2010, and released the Strategic framework and work plan for GEF-5 (GEF/C.40/Inf.03), focused on data sharing for projects and programs.

For GEF-6, the GEF released, in June 2015, the GEF Knowledge Management Approach Paper (GEF/C.48/07/Rev.01), highlighting project and programme impacts and policy dialogues on options and approaches. The Paper was informed by STAP’s report Knowledge Management in the GEF: STAP Interim Report (GEF/STAP/C.48/Inf.03/Rev.01). A Knowledge Management Advisory Group was established in October 2015 for GEF Partners.

The GEF Evaluation of Knowledge Management (KM) in the GEF 2020 assessed common KM strategy for the partnership, KM integration within programs, knowledge capture, knowledge development, knowledge sharing and dissemination, knowledge application, KM technology, through the GEF Academy, GEF Portal, good practice briefs, knowledge and learning requirements for project concepts and project proposals, knowledge platforms, web-based tools, events, as well as publications and videos, presentations at global environmental forums, use of social media tools (blogs, Twitter).

In May 2023, the GEF published the Global Environment Facility Strategy for Knowledge Management and Learning (GEF/C.64/07), defined the GEF vision as to become an efficient knowledge driven and learning entity for investing in the planet. The goal is to improve and enhance knowledge capture, sharing and learning processes across the GEF Partnership, with three main objectives:

• 1. Embed cutting-edge knowledge into investments.
• 2. Increase knowledge flows through platforms.
• 3. Create and enable the environment for learning and capacity building.

GEF-8 strategic directions

• 1. Alignment of KM&L with GEF-8 delivery: harnessing KM&L for the blue and green recovery; facilitate interoperability of platforms and tools to share and leverage knowledge; launching a knowledge and collaboration platform;
• 2. Strengthening KM&L in programming: continue integrating KM&L in projects and programs; investing in tools for portfolio review and learning; foster South-South exchange for cross scale dialogue and learning;
• 3. Investing in generation of global public goods: identify and invest in priority areas for knowledge capture and sharing;
• 4. Aligning KM&L with communications and outreach: utilize existing ICT infrastructure to minimize overhead expenses and shorten project deployment cycle; raise awareness about KM initiatives through targeted outreach efforts; dully align with communications strategies across the partnership and the GEF’s communications and visibility policy to maximize impact.

Technologies

Technology development
Article 18.5: The Contracting Parties shall, subject to mutual agreement, promote the establishment of joint research programmes and joint ventures for the development of technologies relevant to the objectives of this Convention.

Access and transfer
Article 16.1: Each Contracting Party, recognizing that technology includes biotechnology, and that both access to and transfer of technology among Contracting Parties are essential elements for the attainment of the objectives of this Convention, undertakes subject to the provisions of this Article to provide and/or facilitate access for and transfer to other Contracting Parties of technologies that are relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity or make use of genetic resources and do not cause significant damage to the environment.

Innovations
Article 18.4: The Contracting Parties shall, in accordance with national legislation and policies, encourage and develop methods of cooperation for the development and use of technologies, including indigenous and traditional technologies, in pursuance of the objectives of this Convention. For this purpose, the Contracting Parties shall also promote cooperation in the training of personnel and exchange of experts.

Legislative, administrative or policy measures
Article 16.3: Each Contracting Party shall take legislative, administrative or policy measures, as appropriate, with the aim that Contracting Parties, in particular those that are developing countries, which provide genetic resources are provided access to and transfer of technology which makes use of those resources, on mutually agreed terms, including technology protected by patents and other intellectual property rights, where necessary, through the provisions of Articles 20 and 21 and in accordance with international law and consistent with paragraphs 4 and 5 below.
Article 16.4: Each Contracting Party shall take legislative, administrative or policy measures, as appropriate, with the aim that the private sector facilitates access to, joint development and transfer of technology referred to in paragraph 1 above for the benefit of both governmental institutions and the private sector of developing countries and in this regard shall abide by the obligations included in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 above.

Intellectual property rights
Article 16.2: Access to and transfer of technology referred to in paragraph 1 above to developing countries shall be provided and/or facilitated under fair and most favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms where mutually agreed, and, where necessary, in accordance with the financial mechanism established by Articles 20 and 21. In the case of technology subject to patents and other intellectual property rights, such access and transfer shall be provided on terms which recognize and are consistent with the adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights. The application of this paragraph shall be consistent with paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 below.
Article 16.5: The Contracting Parties, recognizing that patents and other intellectual property rights may have an influence on the implementation of this Convention, shall cooperate in this regard subject to national legislation and international law in order to ensure that such rights are supportive of and do not run counter to its objectives.

SDG Technology Facilitation Mechanism

70. We hereby launch a Technology Facilitation Mechanism which was established by the Addis Ababa Action Agenda in order to support the sustainable development goals. The Technology Facilitation Mechanism will be based on a multi-stakeholder collaboration between Member States, civil society, private sector, scientific community, United Nations entities and other stakeholders and will be composed of: a United Nations Interagency Task Team on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs, a collaborative Multistakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs and an on-line platform.

• The United Nations Interagency Task Team on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs will promote coordination, coherence, and cooperation within the UN System on STI related matters, enhancing synergy and efficiency, in particular to enhance capacity-building initiatives. The Task Team will draw on existing resources and will work with 10 representatives from the civil society, private sector, the scientific community, to prepare the meetings of the Multistakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs, as well as in the development and operationalization of the on-line platform, including preparing proposals for the modalities for the Forum and the on-line platform. The 10 representatives will be appointed by the Secretary General, for periods of two years. The Task Team will be open to the participation of all UN agencies, funds and programmes, and ECOSOC functional commissions and it will initially be composed by the entities that currently integrate the informal working group on technology facilitation, namely: UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations Environment Programme, UNIDO, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNCTAD, International Telecommunication Union, WIPO and the World Bank.
• The on-line platform will be used to establish a comprehensive mapping of, and serve as a gateway for, information on existing STI initiatives, mechanisms and programmes, within and beyond the UN. The on-line platform will facilitate access to information, knowledge and experience, as well as best practices and lessons learned, on STI facilitation initiatives and policies. The online platform will also facilitate the dissemination of relevant open access scientific publications generated worldwide. The on-line platform will be developed on the basis of an independent technical assessment which will take into account best practices and lessons learned from other initiatives, within and beyond the United Nations, in order to ensure that it will complement, facilitate access to and provide adequate information on existing STI platforms, avoiding duplications and enhancing synergies.
• The Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science Technology and Innovation for the SDGs will be convened once a year, for a period of two days, to discuss STI cooperation around thematic areas for the implementation of the SDGs, congregating all relevant stakeholders to actively contribute in their area of expertise. The Forum will provide a venue for facilitating interaction, matchmaking and the establishment of networks between relevant stakeholders and multi- stakeholder partnerships in order to identify and examine technology needs and gaps, including on scientific cooperation, innovation and capacity building, and also in order to help facilitate development, transfer and dissemination of relevant technologies for the SDGs. The meetings of the Forum will be convened by the President of the ECOSOC before the meeting of the High Level Political Forum under the auspices of ECOSOC or, alternatively, in conjunction with other fora or conferences, as appropriate, taking into account the theme to be considered and on the basis of a collaboration with the organizers of the other fora or conference. The meetings of the Forum will be co-chaired by two Member States and will result in a summary of discussions elaborated by the two co-chairs, as an input to the meetings of the High Level Political Forum, in the context of the follow-up and review of the implementation of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
• The meetings of the HLPF will be informed by the summary of the Multistakeholder Forum. The themes for the subsequent Multistakeholder Forum on Science Technology and Innovation for the SDGs will be considered by the High Level Political Forum on sustainable development, taking into account expert inputs from the Task Team.

Technical cooperation (capacity building and development)
Technology