 So you heard 64 people have submitted abstracts all together. We have 160 people in SCI about today So it's a big diversity Science policy my god, isn't that the core of our business? Everybody wants to be there nowadays The good thing is that we have been there for 25 years So we are the experts if anyone wants to know anything about this they should come and talk to us We think we think but the question is what do others? Well, we're going to listen to two Eminent people who are the real experts in this country about the science policy But just to brag a little bit more, you know, there is a global study every year Checking where different think tanks are positioning themselves in the world is done by by University of Pennsylvania And in Swedish humbleness we always say well, you know, yeah, but these studies are not that Important or they're probably not very scientifically well done or whatever, but still They make a difference So SCI three years ago ended up on eighth place in the world on on this list on Environmental oriented think tanks and last year we or two years ago. We ended up on the sixth place So only our Strong collaborator World Resources Institute. They of course ended up first They are much more active on advocacy, which I think also makes a difference there, but we have 160 reasons why we are on second place Never forget that it's only the collective force of everyone so Charlotte Petri Konitska director general of SIDA. Can I invite you up to this stage? One thing though, we are a little bit disturbed about not disturbed. I would say that but you know, we this is the category of environmental Think tanks we are very very forcefully strong that everything we do is also linked to development That's SCI's core equally important Director general of SIDA That's also part of your core your perspectives on the science policy Interface and if you if you don't stick to that we might start to micromanage, you know, so I Have a script and I will stick to the script because otherwise I know my experience that I would probably talk too long And you can hear my voice is not very good due to a cold But first of all, can I just say I like that you brag about what you do? because Sometimes I think we are what that's a combination of being humble and brag and and I think sometimes We need to brag a little bit and if we can use that energy to raise our voice internationally around these issues I think that's even better. So continue to brag and we So thank you for inviting SIDA and me. I'm very glad to be here today and and we are a long-term Partner to you and and as you said We have we have been a partner for over two decades and we do Believe in trusted partnerships and this is one of one of the partnerships that we really treasure. So thank you for inviting us here I'm gonna share with you some of the challenges That we face together What we think science can do to to help if you will development and a little bit about your role then SCI especially and I Don't have to tell us in here. Maybe the importance of your work, but I I do that anyway. It's so important You are all very aware of the challenges But just one of all reminders around us is I think the the latest human development report from UNDP last year It warns that environmental inaction Especially regarding climate change has the potential to halt or even reverse human development progress in the world's poorest countries and Communities the number of people in extreme poverty could actually increase by up to three billion by 2050 and less environmental and climate disasters are averted by Coordinated global action and Environment and climate change is an overarching thematic priority for Sweden and Cedar So this report from UNDP is has to really be a warning for us and our mission The challenges that are facing us are such that they require us to think trans disciplinary if you will Working in silos is not a solution to what we try to achieve a Good example of trying to work trans disciplinary is The approach taken by the future Earth initiative Which Cedar also supports? It aims to connect the natural sciences with the social sciences But not only that as well as it also addressed engineering and humanities It is co-designed and co-produced by Academies academics, sorry governments business and civil society from all regions of the world and It has a bottom-up and inclusive approach It's solution oriented and builds on ongoing initiatives. I actually think that it's got it all if it works and and Trying to coordinate this effort is really what we're trying to do together Getting the post-MDG framework and the sustainable development goes right is In this regard very very crucial again the nature of sustainable development is such that it requires a Systems approach from the very beginning Now what what role can then development play in this The landscape of development cooperation is changing very fast The economic situation in many of our partner countries is improving for the better new forms of cooperation are being developed including new aid modalities and very many new actors and The importance of foreign direct investments and remittances in Africa is increasing so much fast faster and so much The financial flows from other sources than overseas development aid is Really a reality for us every day to try to understand what role shall development aid play in this changing landscape So Cida's role is becoming more of a facilitator and a catalyst To influence and assist others to do the job Not only bring the money So We partners with others such as the Swedish private sector not only the Swedish private sector but also the Swedish private sector and recently we joined forces with US aid and The setting up of challenge funds where we try to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship and a challenge fund is trying also to work into disciplinary and and coordinate other actions instead of Just add another project to to the architecture or the country We are also participating in international for us such as the world economic forum. That's why I have this No voice left because I just came back from Davos and and you have to Speak there loud Which I actually I think it was evident this year If you compare to last year and the year before Climate change was so much more discussed I think you can see that youth employment and climate change were The two top or maybe among at least the three top list much more than last year and a record 23 sessions one third actually of This year's World Economic Forum was being devoted to how the world can transition to a low carbon economy and Keep global temperature rise within safety zones for billions of people and I heard a lot of businessmen actually discussing this this year However equally important CEDA's role is to build or to hold a dialogue with governments in development countries To strengthen capacity to build institutions and systems and to create awareness in order for decision makers to include Considerations regarding climate change environment and poverty in their strategies plans and budgets And I'd like to just turn into what role science can play and in helping development to to achieve our Effort to work transdisciplinary and really deliver on our priority on environment and climate change and We need informed decisions science role is to give us The evidence we need for wise decision-making For instance in the process of Developing the sustainable development goals the world's decision-makers require urgent information on how the earth's social ecological and physical systems are linked How they are changing and what sustainable solutions have to be targeted in order to achieve Universal prosperity and we must not fight against that need We just need to make that happen and from a CEDA perspective the science provided must be based on evidence of what works in developing countries and What results that are relevant for the poor and marginalized communities Science should also contribute to building the capacity of researchers and decision-makers in those countries where we work in Countries in the south to address sustainable development in their countries But also promote their equal participation in global initiatives Easier said than done So do we have any expectations of you now now it's time to listen again, okay? Yeah So you're gonna be pleased now Yeah, because so in our view SCI is Well as one of the world leading Institutes has the potential to really infringe inference change. We really believe that you have that You have a role to ensure that research is relevant and useful to the poor to build the evidence to propose solutions and to Very important commune and I think actually this is Really where we need to work together. You need to communicate this in a way that you need to convey the message to across to the people who really need the message and For instance, what we mean by that are CEOs and finance ministers. We need the finance ministers They take the decision within the CEO is not the sustainable CSR people only and It's important for us that sustainable development is embedded in the core of business Strategies and in the core of national budgets and plans in order for real change to take place And this is also why it's important to not brag but to have a voice in places like Davos because that's Even though it's a talk shop. You actually influence you do that So so you have an important role to play also as a convener convener of various interests government's business civil society academia to meet and find common solutions and Again for us. It's important that you ensure the poor people's perspective You your research can inspire and and challenge Sida in our work The thematic sessions on today's agenda reflects Many of our priorities, which we are so pleased for so of course But just some of examples such as sustainable energy systems adaptation Resilience and not least fossil fuels and its implication for development We also work very and and even more so than before in conflict-prone countries and regions It's our belief that cooperation on shared natural resources and shared environmental problems Actually could be a strong driver for peace for peace and strength and relations among neighbors Sweden has thus been a keen supporter of the creation of different fora and meeting places for networking sensitive discussions and negotiations as well as supporting transparent transparency through strengthening the role of civil society and SEI has been and continue to be part of this important work as illustrated in the first session here today This is very important for us So to conclude SEI is a strategic and long-term partner to Sida We know from previous collaboration that your research can contribute to policy change needed and to address the challenges that we need to talk about and Sida and I we're looking forward very much to continue to collaborate with SEI and a common goal for sustainable development here in Stockholm and Where we operate together globally. So I wish you a fruitful and interesting day and Pleased to be part of that. So thank you very much