On 28 February 2025, the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), co-organized a side event on “Scaling Science-Based Solutions for Sustainable Development: Regional Innovations in Technology and Data for Achieving the SDGs”, in collaboration with the other ESCAP Regional Institutions, namely, Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (APCICT),  Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT), Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM), Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific(SIAP), and their partners, at the 12th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) in Bangkok, Thailand. Ms. Lin Yang, Deputy Executive Secretary of ESCAP, attended and delivered opening speech at the event.

The event brought together representatives from government agencies, research and education institutions, civil societies, and international organizations to explore how technology, big data, and regional cooperation can drive sustainable development. The discussions covered topics such as information management, statistics, climate adaptation, multi-hazard risk assessment, and agricultural mechanization.

The significance of sustainable agricultural mechanization was highlighted in relation to the potential deriving from its integration with digital technologies and data-driven approaches. Professor Wu Caicong from China Agricultural University, Director of the Key Laboratory of Agricultural Machinery Monitoring and Big Data Applications of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, delivered a presentation on the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based Big Data System for Agricultural Machinery Operations. Professor Wu presented on how GNSS-powered big data applications in agricultural machinery can enhance after-sales services for manufacturers, minimize farmers' losses, improve machine operators' efficiency, and support the development of tailored government policies and regulations. The presentation underscored the crucial role of data-driven mechanization for strengthening agricultural resilience and food security, contributing to the achievement of relevant Sustainable Development Goals.

The accomplished speakers shared their respective achievements in the areas of big data applications. They were: Mr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director, National Research Council of Thailand; Prof. Huadong Guo, Director General, International Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS), Chinese Academy of Science; Ms. Preeti Soni, Head, Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT);  Prof. Fang Chen, Deputy Director General, International Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS); Dr. Shailja Sharma, Director, United Nations Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP); Dr. Venkatachalam Anbumozhi, Senior Research Fellow for Innovation, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Jakarta, Indonesia; Mr. Manzul Kumar Hazarika, Director, Geoinformatics Center, Asian Institute of Technology; Mr. Habib Jabbari, Deputy for Spatial Planning and Regional Development Affairs, Plan and Budget Organization, Islamic Republic of Iran; Dr. Wu Caicong, Professor, College of Information and Electrical Engineering, China Agricultural University, and Director of the Key Laboratory of Agricultural Machinery Monitoring and Big Data Applications, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China; Dr. Wenchao Xue, Associate Professor, Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand. The discussions underscored the power of technology transfer, regional cooperation, and data-driven policymaking in tackling sustainability challenges. Experts highlighted how big data, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms could strengthen cross-border collaboration, optimize resource use, and support evidence-based decision-making.

The event reaffirmed that leveraging technology and data is essential for scaling science-based solutions. By integrating innovation with policy and practice, countries can accelerate progress toward the SDGs and build a more resilient, sustainable future in the Asia-Pacific region.