World Science Day: Scientific Literacy Important for Peace and Development

Islamabad: The nation observed World Science Day for Peace and Development by highlighting the contributions of scientists and researchers, significant emerging scientific issues, and the imperative for all Pakistani citizens to have access to scientific literacy.

To commemorate the day, educational institutions organised a range of events, such as science fairs, competitions for quizzing students, and essay writing contests.

Every year on November 10, UNESCO commemorates World Science Day for Peace and Development to raise awareness of the value of science in society and the necessity of including the general people in discussions about pressing modern scientific concerns.

‘Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development’ is the focus of this year’s World Science Day, which is being observed as part of the 8^thJuly 2022 launch of the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development.

The United Nations General Assembly endorsed the proposal for an International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development on December 2, 2021, and stated that “the applications of basic sciences are vital for advances in medicine, industry, agriculture, water resources, energy planning, environment, communications, and culture.”

In December 2021, the UN General Assembly stated, “To fulfil The 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, more basic science is required.” It is true that the proportion of domestic research spending that is allocated to basic sciences varies greatly between nations.

Some nations spend less than 10% of their research budgets on basic sciences, while others spend more than 30%, according to statistics from the UNESCO Science Report 2021 for 86 countries.

Given the potential for applications to promote sustainable development and increase standards of living, having a capability in basic sciences is in the interests of both developed and developing countries.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in collaboration with the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), the Economic Cooperation Organization Science Foundation (ECOSF), the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) and the Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS) have planned to organize an event to mark the World Science Day for Peace and Development on November 16 in Islamabad. APP