COST is in New York this week for the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly. As part of the mission it was our pleasure to host a reception for the international research and innovation community at the European Union’s delegation to the United Nations in order to showcase how COST Actions contribute to United Nations objectives.
Our research networks have been engaging with UN objectives for many years in various ways, either by partnering with different UN bodies, actively working to address the Sustainable Development Goals, or being officially endorsed by the UN. Here four COST Actions explain how:
NET4Age-Friendly
A new concept was created in 2017 based on the desire to implement SHAFE, that means Smart Healthy Age-Friendly Environments, fostering happier and healthier people in all communities. SHAFE implemented through the COST Action NET4Age-Friendly was recognised as an Sustainable Development Goal Good Practice by the United Nations.
SHAFE means to promote the alignment of policies and strategies across sectors as a unique roadmap for the implementation of happier and healthier people and communities. By bringing together technology, health and care, housing, environment and communities we can promote smart, adaptable and inclusive solutions that help improve and support independent life throughout the course of life, regardless of age, gender, disabilities, cultural differences and personal choices. NET4Age-Friendly are now implementing the SHAFE Foundation to further explore the results and the broad network of this COST Action towards the future. Here’s to responsive, age-friendly and sustainable (digital) environments!
MAF WORLD
Marine Animal Forest of the World (MAF WORLD) creates, for the first time, an all-inclusive network of scientific disciplines specialised in MAFs. The network gathers experts in biology, ecology, geophysics, social science, education, and oceanography with a focus on coral reefs, sponge grounds, deep corals, coralligene, and bivalve or polychaete beds.
The MAF WORLD network has been officially endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade as an Ocean Decade Action. The vision of the Ocean Decade is to provide transformative ocean science solutions for sustainable development, connecting people and ocean. It brings together scientists, resource providers, governments, business UN agencies, and many others to generate scientific knowledge and develop the partnerships needed to support a well-functioning, productive, resilient, and sustainable ocean. Learn what this means for them in our interview with Action Chair Dr Sergio Rossi.
inDust
The International Network to Encourage the Use of Monitoring and Forecasting Dust Products (inDust) aimed to to establish a network involving research institutions, service providers and potential end users of information on airborne dust that could assist the diverse socio-economic sectors affected by the presence of high concentrations of airborne mineral dust. A highly influential and impactful network, inDust ended in 2021 but it’s impact is long lasting, especially when you look at it’s policy influence.
Earlier in the summer the United Nations declared 12 July as the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms. The objective of this milestone day is to raise awareness about the importance for health and sustainability whilst also stressing the need for global and regional cooperation to manage and mitigate the effects of sand and dust storms. inDust was a precursor to this thanks to it’s influential work with World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and impact in the policy field as it advocated for global efforts and awareness raising.
Learn more about the varied impact of inDust in our Long Read.
GLITSS
The Globalization, Illicit Trade, Sustainability, and Security (GLITSS) network is spearheading a groundbreaking interdisciplinary investigation into illicit trade practices. Their quest is to unravel the intricate dynamics, governance structures, and technological implications present in today’s interconnected global landscape. GLITSS envisages a future where the perils of illicit trade are comprehensively decoded and countered, ensuring a sustainable, secure, and flourishing global society.
As a new network, GLITSS are kicking off with ambitious aims to directly collaborate with UN bodies and agencies to combat #IllicitTrade by facilitating shared solutions & inspiring reforms. Huge potential to support the work of United Nations agencies such as United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) so watch this space.
International networking
Many thanks to the international COST community for joining us to strengthen international links and showcase COST Action impact. Thank you also to the European Union’s Delegation to the United Nations and Hedda Samson, Deputy Head of the Delegation, and her team for hosting us.
