During the twenty-second session of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) on 15 May, the role of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in time of crisis was tackled. The CSTD presented its report on 'the role of science, technology and innovation in building resilient communities, including through the contribution of citizen science' which addresses the issue. 'Resilient communities empower their members to absorb and adapt to shocks, have economies that can self-organize to continue functioning in times of crisis, and are able to carry out all their activities without harming the environment.' To this aim, the report underscores the importance of building resilience for sustainable development through STI which could empower people, promote economic diversification, and mitigate the risks of economic degradation on economic development. Additionally, it pinpoints the technical, social, and market and operational challenges of deploying STI solutions. It further emphasises the role of international cooperation and provides relevant policy recommendations for member states. 'People around the world are affected by shocks all the time. STI is critical to building the resilience of communities for sustainable development,' noted the director of UNCTAD's division on technology and logistics Shamika Sirimanne.