Pakistan Observes World Science Day, Stresses Science’s Role in Sustainable Development
— November 12, 2024
ISLAMABAD (AIA) The Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), in collaboration with UNESCO, the Economic Cooperation Organisation Science Foundation (ECOSF), the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, and other partners, hosted a major event on Tuesday to celebrate World Science Day for Peace and Development. The event focused on the critical role of science in addressing global challenges and raising awareness about its importance in modern society.
World Science Day, celebrated annually since 2001, encourages public engagement in science and highlights its impact on society. This year’s theme, “Why Science Matters: Engaging Minds and Empowering Futures,” emphasises the importance of science in building a sustainable and inclusive world. The 2024 observance carries special significance, marking the start of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024-2033), an initiative by the United Nations aimed at mobilising the scientific community to address complex global challenges.
Launched by UNESCO, this decade-long programme seeks to foster interdisciplinary collaboration across diverse fields—from basic sciences to social and human sciences—while promoting resilience, equity, and sustainability to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During the event, Kar Hung Antony Tam, officer-in-charge of the UNESCO Office in Pakistan, spoke on the importance of youth and women’s engagement in science, technology, and innovation. Other key speakers included Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akram Shaikh, Member Science, PSF; Prof. Dr. Seyed Komail Tayebi, President, ECOSF; and Dr. Aneel Salman, OGDCL-IPRI Chair of Economic Security, who delivered a keynote address on science and technology’s role in a sustainable future for Pakistan.