CATENAA, Sunday, November 16, 2025- Governments must adapt science, technology, and innovation (STI) policies to navigate rapid technological shifts, geopolitical tensions, and resource constraints, the OECD says in its 2025 Outlook.(( https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-science-technology-and-innovation-outlook-2025_5fe57b90-en.html))
The report stresses that coherent policy design and stronger coordination across public and private sectors are critical to fostering effective scientific cooperation.
Policymakers are urged to balance openness with security concerns while supporting collaboration in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and quantum computing.
Geopolitical divisions are increasingly affecting research collaboration, yet the OECD emphasizes that international scientific cooperation remains essential for innovation and economic progress.
Evidence-based policies, coupled with foresight and experimental approaches, are highlighted as necessary tools to manage uncertainties and seize transformative opportunities.
The Outlook provides comparative analyses of STI policies across OECD member and partner countries, examining how governments can encourage public-private partnerships, streamline funding mechanisms, and ensure that emerging technology development aligns with economic growth and sustainable transitions.
Key recommendations include integrating policy goals across sectors, fostering cross-border collaboration where feasible, and ensuring strategies remain flexible to adapt to rapidly evolving technological landscapes.
Governments that successfully implement these measures are better positioned to drive innovation, maintain competitive advantage, and support global economic transformation in the coming decade.
The OECD notes that how countries steer STI policies amid these pressures will influence not only national competitiveness but also the direction and impact of global innovation networks.
