KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 11

To commemorate the World Science Day 2022, UNESCO Office in Kathmandu with Nepal Forum of Science Journalist (NFSJ) and Young Scientist Forum Nepal (YSFN)/ Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) organized a webinar on "Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development" as a fourth Science Dialogue series .

World Science Day for Peace and Development has been celebrated worldwide on November 10 since 2001, from two years after the United Nations Conference on Science in 1999. This year's theme "Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development" compliance with the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development. World Science Day for Peace and Development facilitates communication between the scientific community and the general public to build a

bridge between science and society.

Sijal Pokhrel, Natural Science Officer, UNESCO Office in Kathmandu conducted the webinar and started off by briefing the program objectives.

The webinar kicked off with the welcome speech by Dr. Achyut Adhikari, member, Young Scientist Forum Nepal (YSFN).

Dr. Prajal Pradhan began by introducing the Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing that,

although with less than 8 years until the 2030 agenda, no countries have yet succeeded in achieving all of the SDGs in the face of significant challenges such as COVID. Currently, SDGs have limited transformative impact due to the existing priorities and the selectively implementation of countries.

He further explained actions to maximize synergies and resolve trade-offs, actions that prioritizes women, younger and rural populations, i.e., leaving no one behind can leverage achievements of SDGs. He also emphasized upon three important factors that need to be considered in order to achieve the 2030 Agenda -firstly, prioritizing SDGs, then investigating the effects of (under) achieving SDGs on sustainability and the required extra efforts beyond meeting SDGs to ensure sustainability, and lastly, making a science-based post-2030 Agenda to address SDGs.

'In my view, what we can do is to achieve the threefold research approach: quantitative, qualitative analysis and combine knowledge co-creation, together from basic science and from social science, and with the three priorities, we can move forward achieving SDGs.', Dr. Prajal Pradhan concluded.

Dr. Tista Prasai Joshi shared her thoughts on water research in association with sustainable development goals. She explained that Nepal, despite its abundant natural water resources, the achievement of SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation) is facing challenges here, which include not only the scarcity of water resource caused by drying up, over-pumping, leakage, etc., but also pollution, inadequate water treatment, population increases and climate change.

Dr. Tista Prasai Joshi stated that 'All goals of SDGs are linked with water.', thus, it is of vital importance to conduct water research in problem-solving process. With the grant of UNESCO-Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) Early Career Fellowship (ECF), Dr. Tista Prasai Joshi is leading a team studying in water quality, water purification, monitoring and evaluation. 'In order to achieve SDGs, water associated goals must be targeted to which water research could be important assets.', she emphasized.

Similarly, Dr. Dinesh Bhuju appreciated the presentations by Dr. Pradhan and Dr. Prasai, and emphasized on prioritizing science and technology for prosperous Nepal.

The President of NFSJ, Rajan Pokhrel also asserted the importance of prioritizing science and technology Peace and Development and concluded the program with a vote of thanks.

This science dialogue series has been scheduled to be held monthly this year on significant science-related issues.