Originally posted as World Summit on Sustainable Development. 2002. "Role and Contributions of the Scientific and Technological Community (S&TC) to Sustainable Development." Secretary-General's Note for the Multi-Stake Holder Dialogue Segment of the Second Preparatory Committee. Addendum No. 8: Dialogue Paper by Scientific and Technological Communities. United Nations Economic and Social Council E/CN.17/2002/PC.2/6.Add.8. Advance Copy, 28 January. Prepared by the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO).

The transition to sustainable development is inconceivable without science, engineering and technology. The Scientific and Technological Community (S&TC) is committed to devising new strategies to meet the challenges that lie ahead. Focusing on Chapter 31 of Agenda 21, this United Nations Report reviews progress achieved by the S&TC since the 1992 United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development, and identifies future S&T priorities and commitments for sustainable development. The Report examines past successes and failures and future challenges relating to science and sustainable development by highlighting six key themes: poverty and inequity; integrated assessments; changing patterns of consumption and production; capacity building and education; information and communications technology; and ethics and society. The Report focuses on the two priority objectives in Chapter 31: improving communication and cooperation among the S&TC, decision makers and the public, as well as promoting codes of practice and guidelines.