The Highlights Archive | Science for a Sustainable Future

Science for a Sustainable Future

Creating knowledge and understanding through science equips us to find solutions to today’s acute economic, social and environmental challenges and to achieving sustainable development and greener societies. As no one country can achieve sustainable development alone, international scientific cooperation contributes, not only to scientific knowledge but also to building peace.

UNESCO works to assist countries to invest in science, technology and innovation (STI), to develop national science policies, to reform their science systems and to build capacity to monitor and evaluate performance through STI indicators and statistics taking into account the broad range of country-specific contexts.

Science policies are not enough. Science and engineering education at all levels and capacity need to be built to allow countries to develop their own solutions to their specific problems and to play their part in the international scientific and technological arena.

Linking science to society, public understanding of science and the participation of citizens in science are essential to creating societies where people have the necessary knowledge to make professional, personal and political choices, and to participate in the stimulating world of discovery. Indigenous knowledge systems developed with long and close interaction with nature, complement knowledge systems based on modern science.

Science and technology empower societies and citizens but also involve ethical choices. UNESCO works with its member States to foster informed decisions about the use of science and technology, in particular in the field of bioethics.

Water is fundamental for life and ensuring water security for communities worldwide is essential to peace and sustainable development. The scientific understanding of the water cycle, the distribution and characteristics of surface and groundwater, of urban water all contribute to the wise management of freshwater for a healthy environment and to respond to human needs.

Scientific knowledge of the Earth’s history and mineral resources, knowledge of ecosystems and biodiversity, and the interaction of humans with ecosystems are important to help us understand how to manage our planet for a peaceful and sustainable future. Global environmental change has profound social and human dimensions. Over 30 UNESCO programmes in ocean and natural sciences, education, culture and communication contribute to creating knowledge, educating and communicating about climate change, and to understanding the ethical implications for present and future generations.

Disaster risk reduction

24 November 2022	New research and action agenda on culture, heritage and climate change now available online
3 November 2022	Sub-regional conference on promoting education for sustainable development kicks off in Bishkek
10 June 2022	Dushanbe Water Conference: recommendations made
26 April 2022	Cultural heritage: 7 successes of UNESCO’s preservation work
11 February 2022	International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2022
20 January 2022	UNESCO launches ICT-enabled STEM and VET education project in Tajikistan
15 September 2021	The Scientific Report prepared by UNESCO refers to the status of education in Central Asia
28 July 2021	UNESCO Almaty Office is seeking for an Individual Expert
17 June 2021	A Bright Future for Sustainable Education in Kyrgyzstan
6 May 2021	New UNESCO Regional Project on climate change adaptation launched in Central Asia
20 April 2021	Global partnership offers course on journalistic coverage of COVID-19 vaccine
22 March 2021	World Water Day 2021
19 March 2021	From comprehension to action: teachers and students in Kyrgyzstan confidently implement Education for Sustainable Development
5 March 2021	My Passion for Science: Women from Central Asia Share Their Stories
3 March 2021	How to become a better teacher during the pandemic

Science for a Sustainable Future

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