In many countries, accurate information, adequate indicators and capacities to analyse and monitor STI policies and policy instruments are lacking. Policymakers therefore need to have a better picture of their national, regional and global performance with regard to science, technology and innovation (STI), and have a better understanding of the long‐term evolution of their STI structures and governance characteristics. They need to be able to identify and fill the missing gaps in terms of STI policy instruments that ensure effective implementation of their policies and strategies in place.

UNESCO works with policy-makers to improve the monitoring and measurement of how effective STI policies are, by maintaining an important knowledge base for strong evidence-based STI policy recommendations.

UNESCO works in close collaboration with the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, which provides cross-nationally comparable statistics on education, science and technology, culture, and communication for more than 200 countries and territories.