Basic Sciences bring new knowledge and a deep understanding of natural phenomena that shape our Universe. The development of basic sciences underlies technological breakthroughs and offers unique opportunities to meet basic human needs, produce economic, social and environment benefits, thus contributing to the global Sustainable Development Goals. In this light, the International Basic Sciences Programme (IBSP) was established to further develop international cooperation for the strengthening of national capacities in the basic sciences and science education.

• Building national capacities for basic research, training, science education and popularisation of science through international and regional cooperation in development-oriented areas of national priority;
• Transfer and sharing of scientific information and excellence in science through North-South and South-South cooperation;
• Providing scientific expertise for, and advice to, policy- and decision-makers, and increasing public awareness of ethical issues that progress in science entails.

To attain these objectives, the IBSP seeks to build major region-specific actions in cooperation with partner organizations and networks of national, regional and international centres of excellence or benchmark centres already in existence or to be created in the basic sciences.

The programme supports national, regional, and global initiatives in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological sciences, and interdisciplinary science, such as Materials Sciences.

IBSP covers a wide range of activities, prizes, initiatives, projects that contribute to the goals of the programme. In addition, the programme gets scientific input and extends its networks through the Category 2 Institutes and Centres under the auspices of UNESCO, UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks with the mission of IBSP.

The Scientific Advisory Board members are strategically selected from the six electoral groups, Group I: Western Europe, Group II: Eastern Europe, Group III: Latin America and the Caribbean Group IV: Asia and the Pacific, Group V (a): Africa and Group V (b): Arab States. Board members shall be well-recognized experts actively engaged in basic sciences or science education, ensuring a well-rounded perspective on science and sustainable development. They serve in an individual capacity, with selection based on equitable geographical distribution and gender equality principles to enhance diversity and global representation.

The IBSP Scientific Advisory Board is a category V Advisory Committee that is required to advise the Director-General on the IBSP according to the Regulations for the general classification of the various categories of meetings convened by UNESCO. 

As per the IBSP Statutes, the Scientific Advisory Board shall advise and inform the Director-General on developing strategies and policies related to its basic sciences and science education programmes. The board’s primary purpose is to bridge the gap in basic sciences between Member States, considering the Organization’s objectives. The Board shall advise on IBSP’s strategies, policy advocacy, interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge dissemination and partnership building. 

Group I 

• Prof. Kadriye Arzum Erdem-Gürsan, Pharmacy, Analytical Chemistry, Türkiye
• Dr. Rino Rappuoli, Microbiology, Italy

Group II

• Dr. Alicja Mikołajczyk, Material Science, Poland
• Prof. Ieva Plikusienė, Chemistry, Physics, Physical Chemistry and Biosensors, Lithuania

Group III

• Prof. Irene Priscila Cedillo Orellana, Computing and Information Technology, Ecuador
• Prof. María Guadalupe Guzmán, Biology, Virology, Cuba

Group IV

• Prof. Mitsunobu R. Kano, Medicine and Nanotechnology, Japan
• Dr. Jacquiline Romero, Quantum Technology, Australia and the Philippines

Group V (a)

• Dr. Ponnadurai Ramasami, Computational Chemistry, Mauritius
• Prof. Malik Maaza, Nanosciences, South Africa

Group V (b)

• Prof. Mohamed-Slim Alouini, Data and Information Sciences and Technologies, Tunisia (based in Saudi Arabia)
• Prof. Ramy Karam Aziz, Microbiology, Egypt