12 1 / 2022 // LEOPOLDINA / NEWS
Image : Den VIII | Adobe Stock
Research for the Global Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming 2022 as the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development ( IYBSSD ). With this resolution , it aims to pay tribute to the pivotal role played by basic research in advancements in the areas of medicine , industry , agriculture , the environment , communication and culture .
The objective of the international year is to encourage both developed and developing countries to expand their own basic research capacities . In doing so , they can use basic research to make an important contribution to the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) approved in 2015 .
The United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO ) will act as the lead agency for the IYBSSD . In cooperation with over 90 other organisations , including many national academies and expert societies , the Leopoldina will support the international year and will be part of the initiative ’ s International Advisory Committee . The IYBSSD will be officially launched with an opening conference at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on 1 July 2022 . Together with UNESCO and other UN organisations , the initiative ’ s global partners can organise IYBSSD events around the world until the end of June 2023 with the aim of promoting dialogue between scientists , policymakers and members of society to highlight the role of basic research in sustainable development .
■ RN , CHW
IYBSSD