As co-chair of the 10-Member Group, Gupta will be advising the UN Inter-agency Task Team (IATT) on Science, Technology, and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals. She will contribute to preparing meetings of the multi-stakeholder forum, developing proposals for the operational aspects of the online platform, and supporting various workstreams of the IATT. Gupta’s appointment to the 10-Member Group underscores the United Nations' ongoing commitment to harness expertise and diversity in its quest for a just, inclusive, and sustainable world by 2030.

Professor Joyeeta Gupta is excited about her appointment and looks forward to contributing to global efforts for sustainable development: ‘Soon we will gather everyone’s aspirations see how we can combine these into one clear plan. Our work needs to be as globally representative as possible to effectively communicate it to the nation states.’

Mix of disciplines

The composition of the 10-Member Group reflects gender and geographical balance and includes a mix of disciplines to cover all aspects of the SDGs. Members are selected based on internationally recognized expertise in their field and their understanding of international processes related to science, technology, innovation, and sustainable development.

Addressing issues

Gupta’s extensive experience and dedication to advancing environmental and development issues promise to be a valuable addition to the 10-Member Group and its pursuit of scientific progress to support the SDGs. Which issues is she going to address during these meetings? ‘If we want to move towards a more equitable world, we need to redesign the way we invest, produce, consume and live.  How to phase out fossil fuels in a just manner and yet ensure energy access for all? Do we need a new global constitution to be able to live together in the future?’

About Joyeeta Gupta

Joyeeta Gupta is Professor of environment and development in the global south at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences of the University of Amsterdam and IHE Delft Institute for Water Education and the Faculty Professor on Sustainability. She leads the programme group on Governance and Inclusive Development. Previously, she was professor on Climate Change Policy and Law at the Institute for Environmental Studies at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. She won the highest academic recognition in the Netherlands – the Spinoza prize in 2023.