UNESCO Extends UNU-MERIT Chair on STI for Latin America Through 2030
The four-year renewal reinforces the Chair's role in bridging academic research and sustainable policy across the region.
UNESCO has renewed the mandate of the UNU-MERIT UNESCO Chair on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for Sustainable Development in Latin America through December 31, 2030. This four-year extension validates the Chair's capacity to connect academic research with practical policymaking across the region.
The Renewal Decision
The decision follows a successful evaluation of the Chair's research output, policy engagement, and international collaboration over its previous term. Professor Fiona Tregenna, Director of UNU-MERIT, stated that the renewal recognizes the outstanding work led by Professor Carlo Pietrobelli and the partners who contributed to the Chair's success. Held by Professor Pietrobelli, the Chair operates as a flagship initiative of the United Nations University - Maastricht Economic Research Institute (UNU-MERIT).
Research Priorities and Partnerships
The Chair's research focuses on critical minerals, industrial policy, digital and green transitions, quality infrastructure, and global value chains. These priorities reflect Latin America's pressing development challenges as the region navigates simultaneous technological and environmental transformations.
To translate findings into actionable recommendations for regional governments, the Chair maintains active collaborations with a broad network of international bodies. These include UNESCO, UNIDO, UNCTAD, the Inter-American Development Bank, ECLAC, OECD, and the World Bank. This multilateral approach ensures that evidence-based research reaches the policymakers most capable of implementing systemic change.
Impact on Regional Development
The renewal ensures continued institutional support for sustainable development through evidence-based STI policy. Latin America faces significant hurdles in managing digital and green transitions while maintaining inclusive growth. By sustaining partnerships between UN agencies, universities, and regional governments, the Chair facilitates the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals through resilient policy design.
Professor Pietrobelli described the Chair's approach as an example of multilateralism at work. He noted that by bringing together universities, policymakers, UN agencies, and development partners around shared challenges, the initiative demonstrates how collaborative, evidence-based approaches can advance sustainable development.
Future Outlook
Through 2030, the Chair will continue its executive training programs and high-level policy dialogues with Latin American governments. The extended mandate provides the stability necessary for long-term research initiatives that require multi-year horizons, particularly regarding critical minerals governance and industrial policy design.
As countries balance competing priorities in climate action, digital infrastructure, and economic competitiveness, the Chair's work will be pivotal in shaping national STI strategies. The renewal signals UNESCO's confidence in a model that bridges academic rigor with immediate policy relevance, ensuring that Latin American development is guided by data and international cooperation.