NATURAL SCIENCES
Strategy and Programmes
Major Programme II - Natural Sciences
- UNESCO. General Conference; 34th; 2007
Mission
The Natural Sciences Sector contributes to UNESCO’s mission by using science to build peace, to eradicate poverty and to promote sustainable development.
Strategy and Programme
The 34th session of the UNESCO General Conference adopted the Medium-Term Strategy which sets out the strategic vision and programmatic framework for UNESCO’s action from 2008 to 2013 (Document 34 C/4). The two overarching priorities for this six year period are: Africa and gender equality.
With respect to the natural sciences, the overarching objective is mobilizing science knowledge and policy for sustainable development with the following three strategic programme objectives:
- Leveraging scientific knowledge for the benefit of the environment and the management of natural resources
- Fostering policies and capacity-building in science, technology and innovation
- Contributing to disaster preparedness and mitigation
The Programme and Budget for Natural Sciences for the biennium 2008-2009 (Document 34 C/5) will be implemented within the framework of the Medium Term Strategy. For this two year period the two biennial priorities for the natural sciences are:
- promoting research and technical capacity-building for the sound management of natural resources and for disaster preparedness and mitigation
- strengthening national and regional research and innovation systems, capacity-building, the use of technologies, and scientific networking, and encouraging the development and implementation of science, technology and innovation policies for sustainable development and poverty eradication
Related links:
:: Approved version of the 34C/4
:: Approved version of the 34C/5
Activities
Implementation of the natural sciences activities within the context of the UNESCO strategic planning and results-based management are grouped under four Main Lines of Action.
- Fostering policies, technical capacity-building, research, networking, education and international cooperation in the fields of water, ecological and earth sciences for enhancing societal responses
- Oceans and coastal zones: improving governance and fostering intergovernmental cooperation through ocean sciences and services
- Promoting science, knowledge and education for disaster preparedness and mitigation, and enhancing national and regional coping strategies, including through support or the development of risk reduction networks and monitoring and assessment measures, such as tsunami early warning systems
- Supporting science, technology and innovation policies for sustainable development and poverty eradication, and developing capacities in basic sciences, energy and engineering
The Natural Sciences Sector leads UNESCO’s interdisciplinary work in the following fields: UNESCO action to address climate change, science education and contribution to the implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for the sustainable development of small island developing states.
Within the Natural Sciences Sector, interdisciplinary work focuses on disaster mitigation, urban issues, climate change and energy, with coastal zones as a cross-cutting theme.
Main programmes in the Natural Sciences are: