Date: Monday, 10 November 2025; 24th Annual Day.
Sponsor:
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Purposes:
The World Science Day for Peace and Development is annually celebrated for the following objectives:
- to strengthen public awareness of the role of science in promoting sustainable development and paving the way for peaceful societies.
- to promote national and international solidarity for shared science between nations.
- to renew local and international commitment to using scientific knowledge and technology to benefit societies.
- to draw attention to the challenges faced by science in raising support for scientific endeavors.
Inception:
World Science Day for Peace and Development was observed for the first time on 10 November 2002.
History:
The Day was initially proposed in 1999 by the delegations of Ethiopia and Malawi at the World Conference on Science in Budapest, Hungary.
In November 2001, the 31st Session of the UNESCO General Conference officially proclaimed 10 November of each year World Science Day for Peace and Development (UNESCO31/Resolution 20).
How to Observe the Day
Since 2002, the World Science Day for Peace and Development has generated many projects, programs, and funding for science worldwide. It has also helped foster cooperation between scientists living in different regions.
Individuals, institutions, and organizations worldwide are highly encouraged to organize a range of events or activities on the day to promote public awareness of the role and importance of science, such as conferences, lectures, seminars, group discussions, and social media campaigns.
Each year, the United Nations selects a specific theme as the focus of the celebration.
Annual theme in recent years:
2025 theme: “Trust, Transformation, and Tomorrow: The Science We Need For 2050.”
2024 theme: “Science Matters – Engaging Minds and Empowering Futures.”
2023 theme: “Building Trust in Science.”
2022 theme: “Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development.”
2021 theme: “Building Climate-Ready Communities”
2020 theme: “Science For and With Society in Dealing With COVID-19”
2019 theme: “Open Science, Leave No One Behind”
2018 theme: “Science, A Human Right”
2017 theme: “Science for Global Understanding”
2016 theme: “Celebrating Science Centers and Science Museums.”
Official website:
www.un.org/en/observances/world-science-day
