The 2^nd meeting of the IBSP Scientific Board held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 20-21 March 2006 laid the basis for the implementation of the first phase of the IBSP. It did so by providing guidelines as regards scientific, managerial and strategic aspects of actions to be taken in 2006-2007. The first phase of the IBSP will be completed in 2007. In 2008, UNESCO will enter the period of a new Medium Term Strategy, namely that for 2008-2013. This Medium Term Strategy will be approved at the 34^th session of the Organization’s General Conference (16 October to 3 November 2007). Hence, at its 3^rd meeting the Scientific Board will be called upon to address two principal issues, to wit the:

·   evaluation of the execution of the first phase of the IBSP and identification of lessons to be drawn, and

·   elaboration of a new IBSP strategy of action in the framework of UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy for 2008-2013.

It should be recalled that at its 2^nd meeting already, the IBSP Scientific Board had emphasized the role of these issues and had launched an initial discussion that should now be continued to result in comprehensive conclusions and recommendations.

Scientific Board of the IBSP

The IBSP is overseen by a Scientific Board established by the Director-General. Article 1.2 of the Statutes of the Scientific Board, approved by the Executive Board, stipulates that the Scientific Board is a category V advisory committee for the purpose of monitoring the IBSP and advising the Director-General thereon. The members the IBSP Scientific Board are experts from each region and are able to provide expertise in the physical, chemical and biological sciences and their allied interdisciplinary areas, thus ensuring equitable geographical distribution and expertise in the wide area of the basic sciences. In line with the Statutes approved by the Executive Board, all members of the IBSP Scientific Board are specialists serving in an individual capacity.

Click below for List of members of IBSP Scientific Board

For further information contact: Maciej Nalecz, Director of the Division of Basic and Engineering Sciences m.nalecz@unesco.org