Sharizad Dahlan is the Director of the International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation (ISTIC) under the auspices of UNESCO, where she works on the Centre's strategic initiatives focusing on international research collaboration, STI policy, climate change, open science, STEM education and digital technology.  She has 20 years of experience in international relation, R&D and technology management and institutional governance, with a primary focus on S&T industry.  Before joining ISTIC, she was attached to the Academy of Sciences Malaysia where she headed the STI Strategic Initiatives and Partnership Division before assuming the position of Chief of International Affairs and Communication. Prior to this, she served the International Science Council Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ISC ROAP) for eight years, responsible for developing and implementing its regional strategy and programmes, with a special focus on areas like Urban Health and Wellbeing, Disaster Risk Reduction, Science Policy and Inter-regional collaborations.