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The path to a sustainable future starts with science.
Photo:Adobe Stock/shevchukandrey

Celebrated every 10 November, World Science Day for Peace and Development highlights the significant role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues. It also underlines the importance and relevance of science in our daily lives.

By linking science more closely with society, World Science Day for Peace and Development aims to ensure that citizens are kept informed of developments in science. It also underscores the role scientists play in broadening our understanding of the remarkable, fragile planet we call home and in making our societies more sustainable.

The Day offers the opportunity to mobilize all actors around the topic of science for peace and development – from government officials to the media to school pupils. UNESCO strongly encourages all to join in celebrating World Science Day for Peace and Development by organizing your own event or activity on the day.

Trust, Transformation, and Tomorrow: The Science We Need for 2050

In August 2023, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2024–2033 the , underscoring the essential role of science in tackling the world’s most pressing challenges. This initiative recognizes that achieving the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda and beyond will require not only advances in knowledge and innovation but also stronger partnerships between science, policy, and society.

Against this backdrop, the 2025 World Science Day will provide a vital platform to consider what kind of science—and what kind of relationship between science and society—will be essential to meet future challenges, with UNESCO at the forefront of this effort.

Fostering Science for All

The (2024–2033) is a global movement to unlock that potential. Led by UNESCO, it promotes science as a common good fuelling innovation, inclusion, and collaboration across borders. Together, we’re building a future that is more just, resilient, and informed for people and the planet alike.

Join us to support the Decade!

Background

The organization of a focused event related to the commitment to science and society was one of the positive outcomes of the 1999 World Conference on Science in Budapest. It was considered an opportunity to reaffirm each year the commitment to attaining the goals proclaimed in the and to follow up the recommendations of the .

Since its proclamation by UNESCO in 2001, World Science Day for Peace and Development has generated many concrete projects, programmes, and funding for science around the world. The Day has also helped foster cooperation between scientists living in regions marred by conflict—one example being the UNESCO-supported creation of the Israeli-Palestinian Science Organization (IPSO).

The rationale of celebrating a World Science Day for Peace and Development has its roots in the importance of the role of science and scientists for sustainable societies and in the need to inform and involve citizens in science. In this sense, a World Science Day for Peace and Development offers an opportunity to show the general public the relevance of science in their lives and to engage them in discussions. Such a venture also brings a unique perspective to the global search for peace and development.

The first World Science Day for Peace and Development was celebrated worldwide on 10 November 2002 under UNESCO auspices. The celebration involved many partners, such as governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental organizations, UNESCO National Commissions, scientific and research institutions, professional associations, the media, science teachers, and schools.

The Day aims to:

  • Strengthen public awareness of the role of science for peaceful and sustainable societies;
  • Promote national and international solidarity for shared science between countries;
  • Renew national and international commitment for the use of science for the benefit of societies;
  • Draw attention to the challenges faced by science in raising support for the scientific endeavour.

Science Diplomacy for a Sustainable Shared Future

Science diplomacy helps establish links and strengthen relations between societies, especially where there may not be another official approach. Science is then used to strengthen or build links between countries that have tense or even non-existent relationships.

Useful Links

Related Observances

The??is one of the tools that countries can use to monitor progress towards the goals of Agenda 2030.

Every five years, it analyses emerging trends in science, technology and innovation policy and governance. The latest was published in June 2021. It documented the rapid societal transformation under way, which offers new opportunities for social and economic experimentation but also risks exacerbating social inequalities, unless safeguards are put in place.

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an abstract illustration of people engaged in an event

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.