Science as the basis for cooperation: examples of overcoming disagreements through scientific research

Environmental activist Greta Thunberg stated upon arriving at the 31st UN Climate Summit (COP31) that these meetings have turned into 'greenwashing circuses,' but emphasized the need to continue pressuring decision-makers.

Thunberg, who has not participated in the United Nations Climate Change Conference since Glasgow, Scotland, in 2021, considered this event an 'opportunity for citizen mobilization.'

Before journalists and participants of COP31, she declared: 'We are here as activists to put pressure on those in power, demanding that they actually do what they have been talking about for decades.'

In the environmental activist's view, the climate crisis is 'out of control,' and global warming threatens youth around the world, especially the most vulnerable populations.

Greta Thunberg noted that climate negotiations have been ongoing for over three decades, yet global greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change 'continue to rise.'

The young woman, aged 23, who started the 'Fridays for Future' movement—school strikes to draw attention to the climate crisis—insists: 'As young people, our future is under threat, and we must raise our voices and demand change.'

COP31, which began on Monday, is gathering representatives from nearly 200 countries and will last until November 20 in Antalya, Turkey, which the activist also criticized. She stated: 'We cannot close our eyes to the fact that the host country, Turkey, violates countless fundamental rights.'

World Science Day for Peace and Development, observed annually on November 10th, emphasizes the critical importance of science in solving global problems, promoting international cooperation, and building sustainable and peaceful societies.

UNESCO proclaimed this date in 2001 with the aim of strengthening the link between science and society, raising public awareness about scientific achievements, and encouraging citizens to participate in discussions about emerging scientific issues. Furthermore, it recognizes the contribution of scientists to expanding knowledge, protecting the planet, and improving people's quality of life.

The theme for 2026, 'Common Ground through Scientific Diplomacy,' underscores the potential of scientific interaction to establish connections between nations, foster dialogue, and respond jointly to common challenges.

This day provides an opportunity for governments, scientific institutions, researchers, media, educators, and students to promote science as a means of achieving peace and development. It also highlights the importance of informing the public about scientific progress and involving a wider segment of society in shaping the future of science.

The origins of this observance trace back to the World Conference on Science held in Budapest in 1999 under the auspices of UNESCO and the International Council of Natural Sciences. The conference emphasized the need to strengthen the ties between science and society and highlighted the role of scientific knowledge in solving global problems. Following this, UNESCO declared November 10th as World Science Day for Peace and Development, and the first global celebration took place in 2002.

The United Nations has further stressed the importance of science for sustainable development. In August 2023, the UN General Assembly declared the period from 2024 to 2033 the International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development, recognizing the indispensable contribution of scientific knowledge, innovation, and international partnership to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

International Week of Science and Peace

Closely related to World Science Day, the International Week of Science and Peace is held annually from November 9th to 15th, highlighting the contribution of scientific and technological progress to ensuring peace, security, and international cooperation.

This initiative was first conducted in 1986 as a non-governmental activity within the International Year of Peace. In 1988, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 43/61, officially establishing the week containing November 11th as the International Week of Science and Peace.

The goal of this event is to raise public awareness about the relationship between scientific progress and peace, as well as to encourage collaboration among scientists and greater international participation in solving common tasks.

Together, these two events provide an opportunity to demonstrate how scientific knowledge, technological innovations, and cross-border cooperation can contribute to creating a more peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable world.

World Science Day in Iran

In Iran, universities and scientific institutions observe World Science Day for Peace and Development and the International Week of Science and Peace by holding various educational, cultural events, and public engagement activities.

The University of Tehran, in collaboration with the Iranian Association for the Promotion of Science, organizes a series of events from November 9th to 18th. The program includes a science exhibition, a formal ceremony, public science sessions, and science fiction film screenings aimed at increasing scientific literacy and strengthening interaction between universities and the public.

The Mostafa Science and Technology Foundation also conducts educational and media initiatives during this week, including new episodes of its podcast 'Observatory,' the release of a scientific journal, interviews with prominent researchers, and a two-day educational program in Tehran for 40 talented students from across the country.

Distinguished scientists and innovators gathered in Shanghai on Saturday for the 2026 Global Laureates Forum. The event provided an opportunity to exchange views on future directions, including semiconductors, biomedicine, aerospace information, artificial intelligence, future energy, and quantum science.

The forum hosted numerous authoritative figures: 32 recipients of international awards such as the Nobel Prize, Turing Award, Wolf Prize, and Fields Medal, as well as 23 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, 140 senior scientists, and 78 young researchers.

Within the framework of the event, which was themed 'New Scientific Paradigm: Breakthrough for the Next Decade,' the main forum session, six parallel sessions, four events, and a closing ceremony were organized.

At the opening, the 2026 Global Laureates Foundation Award was presented to 11 scientists for their contributions to intellectual science or mathematics, life sciences or medicine, as well as a special award for young scientists.

The Mathematics Prize was awarded to Belgian scientist Ingrid Daubesch. The Prize in Life Sciences or Medicine was conferred upon Yuan Juning, Wang Xiaodong, Shao Feng, and Vishwa Dixit for clarifying the molecular pathways of various forms of programmed cell death. Shao Feng became the first Chinese citizen to receive the Global Laureates Foundation Award.

Yuan expressed hope that the results of her laboratory research would be translated into clinical treatment methods, calling this the most significant reward. She emphasized that practical steps are necessary to realize big ideas. In turn, Wang noted the importance of trust in scientific collaboration, adding that friendly rivalry also has its merits. Dixit added a philosophical aspect, stating that humans exist thanks to the ability of cells to die.

After the awards ceremony, participants were able to ask questions on a special question wall, touching upon topics ranging from the possibility of rotating a perfectly smooth sphere to the readability of consciousness.

The future of artificial intelligence was also a central theme. In his keynote speech, Fields Medalist Loran Lafforg argued that large language models are capable of solving certain problems that human mathematicians have not yet managed, but AI cannot replace the wisdom gained through the effort required for true learning.