Prizes & Celebrations

The aims of the Natural Sciences Sector are advanced through a selection of awards, prizes, international days, weeks and years.

• © UNESCO/Le Mignon, Misato
• Japanese Garden

Awards and Prizes

• Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science More
• Carlos J. Finlay Prize for Microbiology
• Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Preservation More
• Great Man-Made River International Prize for Water Resources in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas More
• UNESCO/Institut Pasteur Medal for an outstanding contribution to the development of scientific knowledge that has a beneficial impact on human health More
• L'Oreal-UNESCO Prize for Women in Science More
• ERAIFT regional postgraduate school Prize More
• MAB Young Scientists Awards More
• Michel Batisse Award for Biosphere Reserve Management More
• Mercosur Award in Science and Technology More 
• Mondialogo Engineering Award More
• Research Grants for Young Scientists specialising in Great Apes of Africa More
• UNESCO-Obiang Nguema Mbasogo International Prize for Research in the life sciences More

UN International Days and Weeks

• 22 March: World Day for Water More 
• 7 April: World Health Day More
• 22 April: International Mother Earth Day More
• 25 April: World Malaria Day More
• 22 May: International Day for Biological Diversity More 
• 5 June: World Environment Day More 
• 8 June: World Oceans Day More
• 17 June: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought More 
• 9 August: International Day of the World's Indigenous People More 
• 16 September: International day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer More 
• Last week of September: World Maritime Day More 
• 4-10 October : World Space Week More 
• Second Wednesday of October: International Day for Disaster Reduction More 
• 17 October: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty More 
• 6 November: International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict More 
• 10 November: World Science Day for Peace and Development More 
• 11 December: International Mountain Day More 

UN International Years

• 2007-2009: International Polar Year More
• 2009: International Year of Astronomy More
• 2009: Year of the Gorilla (More)
• 2008: International Year of Planet Earth More
• 2008: International Year of Sanitation More
• 2010: International Year of Biological Diversity (General Assembly of the United Nations Resolution A/RES/61/203 [PDF format - 105 KB])
• 2011: International Year of Chemistry More
• 2005-2014: International Decade for Action "Water for Life" More
• 2005-2014: Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People More
• 2005-2014: United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development More