About IYBSSD 2022
The International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development was proclaimed by the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on 2 December 2021 for 2022, stressing that the applications of basic sciences are vital for advances in medicine, industry, agriculture, water resources, energy planning, environment, communications and culture, and that basic sciences rupture technologies respond to the needs of humankind by providing access to information and increasing societal well-being, and promoting peace through improved collaboration toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The official inauguration will take place on 8 July 2022 with an opening conference at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) headquarters in Paris, France. South Africa will be represented by Dr Blade Nzimande (Minister, DSI), Dr Phil Mjwara (Deputy General, DSI), Mr Thapelo Kepadisa (Assistant Director, DSI) and Ms Eudy Mabuza (SA representative in Brussels).
The year will conclude in June 2023. More information on IYBSSD 2022 and regular updates can be accessed here.
Department of Science and Innovation (SA) and the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) engaged the Academy of Science of South Africa’s (ASSAf’s) Executive Officer, Prof Himla Soodyall, to represent the southern African region by serving as the node coordinator for IYBSSD 2022 activities in the region. The South African Basic Sciences Platform (SABSPlat) hosted by the DSI under the leadership of Dr Sagren Moodley (Director: Basic Sciences) has created an enabling environment for scientists to engage. At a meeting on 3 March 2022 hosted by the DSI of stakeholders involved with SABSPlat, it was encouraging to see how many science entities have already started their engagement around activities planned for celebrating IYBSSD 2022. ASSAf, together with the DSI and other stakeholders will continue to engage with coordinating activities within South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, as well as with other African countries, to promote basic sciences and the alignment of such activities with the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
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