Sustainable development at local, regional and global scales is perhaps the most daunting challenge that humanity has ever faced. Knowledge and its application are two elements common and central to each of the economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainable development and the many approaches aimed at achieving sustainability. Solutions to the major sustainability problems of the 21st century, including poverty alleviation, food security, health, a looming water crisis, decoupling of economic growth and environmental impact, renewable energy sources, desertification, diminishing ecosystem services, biodiversity maintenance and use, climate change, and the rise of megacities - all critically require knowledge from scientific research and appropriate technologies. Enhancing the S&T Community’s capacity to contribute to sustainable development will require significantchanges to the current scientific and technological agendas.

Necessary changes have to be implemented:

Research must move towards inter-disciplinary and integrated approaches bringing together the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainable development. Good science is essential for good governance, but it must address key issues of policy relevance.

Traditional divides between the natural and social sciences and other major stakeholders must be bridged. Decision makers should involve scientists and engineers in dialogues on public policy. 

Long-term perspectives.

Science has a responsibility to future generations to provide the knowledge and technologies that will enable a long-term sustainable future. Monitoring of trends is critical in this regard. 

New and traditional technologies.

Development and sharing of new, existing and traditional technologies must be encouraged and directed towards sustainable production and consumption patterns with due emphasis on local, culturally appropriate and low-cost technologies. 

Capacity building in science and technology.

It is necessary to build and maintain a strong scientific and technological capacity in all regions of the world. A major obstacle to sustainable development for much of the world remains the lack of scientific and technological capacity, in particular in developing countries.