On 4 May 2021, the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres, appointed the Vice-Rector of Riga Technical University (RTU), Tālis Juhna, and nine other experts from various countries to a group of high-level experts to support the UN Technology Facilitation Mechanism.
The main task of the experts will be to advise and promote discussion on the ways of harnessing science, technology and innovation to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The decision by the UN Secretary-General is a testament to the outstanding professional qualities of Latvia’s experts and a positive evaluation of the ability of the Latvian academic community to contribute to the advancement of sustainable development.
The ten-member group comprises scientists, researchers, business people and activists from various fields of science, technologies, innovations and entrepreneurship. For further information, see the website of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
Professor, Dr.sc.ing. Tālis Juhna is the Vice-Rector for Research at the RTU and the Chair of the Advisory Board of the Latvian Council of Science. The field of his research covers water quality and management, wastewater treatment and utilization of renewable energy. Professor Juhna is actively involved in the implementation of support mechanisms for the development of start-ups and innovations in Latvia.