UNESCO launches the International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development (2024-2033)

Today UNESCO officially launches the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, a global and coordinated initiative designed to harness the power of all of the sciences - basic, applied, social and human - to advance sustainable change to our societies, economies and environment.

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2 December 2024

In our rapidly changing world facing unprecedented challenges, supporting public-good-driven scientific development and restoring trust in science are imperatives, not mere options. By building bridges between the scientific community, decision-makers, the private sector, and the public, UNESCO will be the voice of science for the benefit of future generations.

Audrey AzoulayUNESCO Director-General

The 2024 Sustainable Development Goals Report highlighted that only 17% of the SDG targets are on track, nearly half showing minimal or moderate progress, and over one-third are stalled or regressing. In this context, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development and designated UNESCO to lead its implementation.

Advancing knowledge to face today's and tomorrow's challenges

According to the UNESCO Science Report 2021, just 0.03% of scientific publications worldwide focus on ecological alternatives to plastics, just 0.02% on climate-resilient crops, and 0.01% on local strategies for reducing disaster risks related to climate disruption. Advancing knowledge in these areas could directly address hunger and improve access to clean water. The Decade aims to advance the production and use of actionable knowledge, making science more responsive to societal needs.

Rebuilding the bridge between society and science

UNESCO's 'The World in 2030' Surveyon global health and disease challenges revealed that more than half of the 15,000 respondents described "not knowing which information to believe or who to trust" as a top concern. To address this, the Decade will empower the global community with enhanced scientific literacy, allowing people to better distinguish facts based on scientific evidence, compared to misinformation or disinformation. Drawing on its vast experience in information and media literacy, UNESCO will develop and support a range of actions aimed at restoring people's trust in science and resolutely placing science at the core of decision-making processes.

The longstanding challenge of bridging science and society must also be addressed. This includes how the general public can engage with, access, and benefit from scientific data and advancements, as well as how indigenous, local, and traditional knowledge can inspire and build on science to achieve concrete results that advance sustainable development goals.

Another crucial gap that must be bridged through the Decade's actions is the unequal access to science, technology and innovation between and within countries, and across marginalized groups including women. It will promote public and private investment and cooperation in science and development, based on UNESCO's work on open science, starting with a standard-setting instrument adopted by its 194 Member States in 2021.

Mobilizing initiatives across the globe

By mobilizing its thousands of scientific partners around the world, its 194 Member States, its educational institutions and its cultural and natural sites networks, UNESCO will support the development of initiatives to achieve the objectives of the Decade. All partners, including governments, research institutes, universities, industry, civil societies, private sectors, and individuals, are called to take part through the development of their own initiatives. UNESCO has announced the first "Call for Initiatives" via the Decade's platform.

This cooperation mechanism has already proved its effectiveness in recent years. One example is the International Decade of Ocean Science (2021-2030), led by UNESCO, which has already resulted in the launch of over 300 national and regional projects and around 50 international initiatives, with a cumulative budget of over one billion dollars.

The launch of the Science Decade will symbolically take place at the Latin America and Caribbean Open Science Forum (CILAC) on San Andrés, Colombia.

Join us in shaping a sustainable future by contributing to the International Decade of Science. Click here to learn how you can take part: Call for Initiatives .

About UNESCO

With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions. Its Director-General is Audrey Azoulay.

"Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed" - UNESCO Constitution, 1945.

More information: www.unesco.org

About the Open Science Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean (CILAC):

The Open Science Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean (CILAC), for which UNESCO serves as the secretariat, serves as a unique space for governments, universities, businesses, researchers, and social sectors to align priorities and shape a unified agenda that supports sustainability goals. More information: What is CILAC? - CILAC

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