UNESCO has called for stronger scientific collaboration to address global challenges and promote peace and sustainable development.

Isaías da Rosa, UNESCO country representative to Nigeria, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the 2026 World Science Day for Peace and Development celebration.

UNESCO and the UN Information Centre (UNIC) supported the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology to commemorate the day.

Mr Da Rosa said it was essential in addressing challenges such as climate change, flooding, biodiversity loss and food insecurity. He cited the global collaboration that helped develop COVID-19 vaccines as an example of how shared scientific knowledge could accelerate responses to international emergencies.

Mr Da Rosa, however, warned that scientific collaboration could deepen inequalities between developed and developing countries if not guided by principles of equity, inclusion, transparency, human rights and open science.

He said UNESCO was ready to support Nigeria in developing science diplomacy strategies, promoting evidence-based policymaking, strengthening research collaboration and advancing open science.

The permanent secretary at the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mukhtar Muhammad, said the difference between developed and developing countries was reflected in their capacity to harness science, technology and research for development.

Mr Muhammad said the ministry was working with its agencies and state governments to strengthen innovation, skills acquisition and the commercialisation of research outputs. According to him, the ministry is also promoting partnerships to expand science and technology development across the country, including through skills acquisition centres.

Mr Muhammad called for stronger international partnerships, noting that scientific diplomacy would promote the exchange of ideas, mutual understanding and peaceful relations among countries.

He said science and technology were critical to Nigeria’s economic diversification, job creation and efforts to improve citizens’ quality of life.

(NAN)