Rafael Torquato Cruz is a project officer at the Technology and Innovation Section of ESCAP. His expertise includes international and south-south cooperation, and science, technology, and innovation (STI) policies for development. He has direct experience supporting policymakers in the Asia-Pacific region to formulate more inclusive and sustainable STI policies that leave no one behind, including the co-creation of Myanmar’s National STI Policy and Cambodia’s STI Roadmap 2030. He holds a master’s degree in political science and international relations.