(REF DF28)Roundtable discussion on how Development Finance can support the SDGs, with particular focus on Hi-Tech Skills including leveraging funding instruments at a global level.

15h00 Declan Kirrane, Welcome Remarks
Dr. Rita Lawlor Biobank Director, ARC-Net and University of Verona, Moderator
15h05 Ms. Eva Kaili MEP, European Parliament, Keynote Remarks
15h15 Prof Ian Jones, Innopharma Education
15h25 Prof Kurt Zatloukal Medical University Graz
15h35 Discussants:
          Mr. Barry Palte CEO, EQ Capital Partners
          Dr. Fuad Mrad Director, United Nations Economic and Social Commission
          Dr. Alex Cahana Partner, BTBlock, Advisor, IMF Advisor
          Ms. Nicole Patrice Tesla Skills Fund for Africa
          Ms. Selam Ayele Kebede Antler
          Mr. Oliver Blantern Impact Rooms 
          Prof Mammo Muchie Chair Rated Research Professor in Innovation Studies, the Tshwane University               of Technology
          Dr. Samuel Adunreke Innovea Hubs Board Chair, Innovea Development Foundation
16h05 Minerva Novero Policy Specialist, Digital Transformation, Skills, Governance, Smart Cities United Nations Development Programme (invited)
16h20 Recommendations
16h30 ConclusionThis Session will explore the link between development financing and a global approach for a skills agenda, using the European union approach as a basis.
The commitment to addressing the Covid pandemic by development banks and many multilateral fora is extensive. It can be informed by a more comprehensive engagement with the science and medical research community. Digital tools for steering financing and directing funding to better effect and accelerating results towards achieving the UN SDG’s can significantly enhance policy development and operational oversight. Skills are and will be central to achieving this global agenda.
The Session will examine how:
Linking development finance to science and research can improve both;
To maintain policies, legal frameworks, regulations, and programmes which promote multi-disciplinary cross-sector research collaboration for achieving the UN SDG’s – among scientists, research institutions, and innovative businesses;
Support global coordination and delivering a global skills agenda
Development finance using digital finance tracking innovations can improve science programmes funded by nations, science funding bodies, and others;
Improving development finance funding mechanisms are defined for international comparison and learning can increase synergy and generate re-usable scientific knowledge from the global initiatives for science;
Development finance can support capacity building for scientific research addressing COVID 19 and other diseases in areas including clinical trials, biobanking, other medical sciences, agri-food, and environment, amongst others;
Supporting blockchain, AI, and federated learning can enable data analytics and evidence-based response to pandemics and pandemic preparedness and the required skills;
Input on science and innovation for policymakers at regional, national and multistakeholder levels can increase global scientific impact in achieving the UN SDGs;