UNESCO Science Report : towards 2030

Abstract

In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly took a historic and visionary step with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. For the first time at this level, the role of science, technology and innovation has been explicitly recognized as a vital driver of sustainability. Sustainability depends on the capacity of states to put science at the heart of their national strategies for development, strengthening their capacities and investment to tackle challenges, some of which are still unknown. This commitment resonates at the heart of UNESCO’s mandate and sees this as a call for action, as UNESCO celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Organization. The UNESCO Science Report draws a comprehensive picture of the many facets of science in an increasingly complex world – including trends in innovation and mobility, issues relating to big data and the contribution of indigenous and local knowledge to addressing global challenges. This report is unique in providing such a clear vision of the global scientific landscape, reflecting the contributions of more than 50 experts from across the world. I am convinced that the analysis here will help clear the path towards more sustainable development, laying the foundations for more inclusive knowledge societies across the world.