As we approach the midpoint of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation, the urgency to accelerate our efforts has never been greater. Publishers play a pivotal role in this global mission by providing essential research content through Research4Life, expanding its effectiveness. Together, we can increase worldwide participation in research and scholarly communications. Sign the recommitment here.
The Publisher’s Statement of Intent
Recognizing that research and knowledge exchange are essential to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we, the undersigned publishers, commit to Research4Life’s goal of ‘An inclusive and equitable scholarly environment that enables all global researchers to address societal challenges’ (Strategic Plan, 2022).
Inspired by UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for a “decade of action,” we aim to accelerate our efforts to support the research behind the SDGs through a new holistic strategy that supports users as both consumers and producers of research. As publishers, we are working with five UN Agencies – FAO, ILO, UNEP, WHO, and WIPO – to offer electronic access to our journals, books, and databases and we are engaging with programs to broaden publishing participation. Supporting the Country Connectors program is pivotal in fostering deeper knowledge sharing, strengthened relationships, and expanded collaborations within countries and within the global Research4Life community. Country Connectors serve as country-based ambassadors to build awareness, expand access and develop capacity for evidence-based researchers at regional and country level as active participants in global knowledge exchange.
We are responding to the call for improving lower-income country researcher participation in research, by publishing in peer-reviewed journals, including Open Access, and by achieving full representation across editorial roles in publications worldwide – working to support a level playing field. Access to scientific publications through R4L has the potential to increase scientific output by up to 75% in lower- and middle-income countries, improving involvement in clinical trials and positive impact on women researchers, not only increasing their share of papers published, but also increasing collaboration and quality of research output.
We invite all publishers to join us in this mission by supporting Research4Life’s Strategic Plan through to 2030. Your contributions, whether financial or in-kind, will ensure the sustainability and growth of our initiatives, fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable research ecosystem.
We recognize the contributions of publishers already committed to Friends of Research4Life and welcome new supporters to join this transformative journey.
Together, let us harness the power of knowledge to create a world of dignity, opportunity and sustainable development for all.
Additionally, we are delighted to invite you to join the Research4Life Recommitment Event at the STM Drinks Reception on October 14, 2024. This offers a unique opportunity for publishers to publicly recommit to the Research4Life initiative, fostering an inclusive and equitable scholarly environment that enables global researchers to address societal challenges. In Frankfurt we will celebrate the signatories and take a collective photo. Please sign up by reaching out to Sarah Phibbs, Director, Research4Life Publisher Partnerships, STM.
