Focus on Basic Sciences, Sustainable Development

ICTP Director Atish Dabholkar will be among top global science dignitaries addressing the official launch of the United Nations International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development (IYBSSD2022) at a ceremony on Friday 8 July at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

A livestream of the opening ceremony will be available at http://webcast.unesco.org/events/2022-07-IYBSSD/ . The ceremony begins at 08:30 CET. ICTP Director Dabholkar is scheduled to address the international audience during a session on "Basic Sciences from Around the Globe", beginning at 17:00. The full programme of talks can be found here.

The International Year recognises that basic sciences are vital to attain sustainable development and to improve the quality of life for people all over the world. It focusses on the links between basic sciences and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with several main objectives: to enhance inclusive participation in science regardless of geography or gender; strengthen education and scientific training; encourage increased funding of basic sciences; and promote the concept of open science.

Read how ICTP addresses all 17 Sustainable Development Goals

"ICTP is proud to be one of the founding partners of the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development," said ICTP's Director Atish Dabholkar. "ICTP's mission is perfectly in line with the goals of this initiative, which are also inspired by the UN's Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We believe that basic research is fundamental not only for technological advancement, but also for global sustainable development. ICTP is looking forward to celebrate basic sciences with exciting events and activities."

In honour of the IYBSSD2022, ICTP recently launched a colloquia series on 18 May with an event titled "The Importance of Basic Sciences in Addressing the Global Energy Crisis" (watch the recording here);  a second colloquium, titled "Artificial Intelligence for Detection and Attribution of Climate Extremes", was held on 23 June. Other talks to take place throughout the year will address issues including climate change, human ecology, ethics in machine learning, and Open Science.