The IASBS President, Prof Sadollah Nasiri Gheydari, has marked 10 November, World Science Day for Peace and Development, as a reminder of a profound and universal responsibility. This day invited people around the world to reflect deeply on the place of science, its role in shaping a sustainable future, and its inseparable connection to human dignity. In a world facing intertwined crises such as climate change, social inequalities, resource scarcity and technological disruptions, science could serve as a force for liberation only when it was accompanied by ethics, wisdom and responsibility.

Prof Nasiri stated that science is an invaluable asset for humanity today; an asset that serves not only as a means of understanding the world but also as a pathway to improving human life, protecting the environment and advancing justice nationally and globally. For this reason, UNESCO, fully aware of this mission, designated 10 November as World Science Day for Peace and Development to draw global attention once again to the fundamental role of science in building a better world.

He added that universities, as the birthplace of thought, innovation and the education of future generations, have an irreplaceable role in realising this vision. At the Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), we believe, he said, that science, when placed in the service of humanity and the planet, can balance progress with sustainability. It can become a bridge between nations, cultures and generations; a bridge built on rationality, dialogue and empathy, leading towards a brighter, safer and more humane world.

In this global observance, we consider it our duty to renew our ethical commitment to science, peace and development. We must strive to make science the shared heritage of humanity, accessible to all and transform it into a common asset for every part of society. No individual and no nation should be deprived of the fruits of science. Narrowing the knowledge gap, promoting a scientific culture and strengthening interdisciplinary and international cooperation are among the steps that will guide our society towards a sustainable and just future.

The IASBS President said that today, more than ever, we need to educate researchers who would not only advance at the frontiers of knowledge but also place science in the service of peace, justice and sustainability with a deep commitment to human values. Achieving this goal requires creating common ground among the natural sciences, the humanities, the social sciences and indigenous knowledge, for the complexity of today’s challenges goes far beyond any single discipline, and only through synergy among diverse fields can comprehensive and lasting solutions be found.

Prof Nasiri stressed that science must also be linked to policy-making and social participation if it is to take root in everyday life. Education, research and technology are the three pillars that shape the future, however, these pillars will stand firm only when built upon ethics, justice, and responsibility. In this process, he elaborated, universities must act as the vigilant conscience of the scientific community, guiding and safeguarding science on the right path. We must teach the younger generation that science is not merely a tool for employment or material comfort but a means of achieving a deeper understanding of the world and of humanity. We should encourage them to think beyond disciplinary boundaries and, through collaboration among the sciences, open new horizons for peace and development.

In conclusion, while honouring this international day, we invite all academics, researchers, students, scientific and educational institutions and civil society to step forward together, in unity and cooperation, towards building a better world. Let us regard science not as an instrument of power but as a common language of humanity; a language that can guide us from the darkness of ignorance and violence to the light of knowledge and peaceful coexistence.

Sadollah Nasiri Gheydari

President of the IASBS

9 November 2025