UNESCO

From science to local knowledge, from education to action: building resilient lands requires all of us. At UNCCD COP17, UNESCO brought together its expertise across science, education and culture to advance people-centred, place-based solutions for healthy and resilient ecosystems. Because restoring land is also about protecting water, biodiversity, livelihoods and cultural heritage, while empowering the communities who know and care for these landscapes. As #COP17 comes to a close, #UNESCO will continue working with partners around the world to turn commitments into action, for people and the planet. https://lnkd.in/eikawFZc

Healthy forests play a vital role in regulating our climate. UNESCO's latest report highlights the importance of forests within UNESCO-designated sites. Together, they store vast amounts of carbon and account for around 15% of the carbon absorbed by forests worldwide each year. Yet this vital function cannot be taken for granted. As climate pressures intensify, some forests risk reaching tipping points that could reduce their capacity to absorb carbon or even turn them into sources of emissions. Protecting these forests means safeguarding one of nature's most important allies in addressing climate change. Read more: https://lnkd.in/edvEEx2K #ForThePeople #ForNature

What does geology have to do with the food on our plates? 🌍 Local geology shapes soils, influencing how and where food is grown and contributing to its distinctive characteristics. Through the GEOfood initiative, UNESCO Global #Geoparks support farmers and producers in highlighting the connections between geological heritage, local knowledge and sustainable food systems. Open to all UNESCO Global Geoparks, the initiative shows how food can tell the story of a landscape, its geological history and the communities that have shaped local food traditions over generations. 👉 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eASZzA3m

Notifications can seem harmless, but a constant flow of alerts can make it harder for children and adults to stay focused, creative and present. UNESCO’s new parental guide “Growing up in a connected world” encourages simple digital habits, such as turning off non-essential alerts, creating screen-free moments and reducing unnecessary distractions. These everyday choices can help children learn to stay connected without being constantly interrupted. Try it together: switch off one unnecessary notification today and see what changes. Discover the guide here: https://lnkd.in/eC9xT98r CLEMI Réseau Canopé

Meet Professor Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic Lab (GVN Lab @ Columbia University), laureate for North America of the 2026 L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards. Professor Vunjak-Novakovic is a pioneer in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Her groundbreaking research, including the development of "organs-on-a-chip", is advancing biomedical research and opening new possibilities for repairing and restoring human tissues. For more than 25 years, the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science partnership has honoured outstanding women researchers and worked to ensure that women have the recognition, opportunities and support to lead scientific innovation. Watch her story. 🎥 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ekimsGmn #ForWomenInScience #FWIS Fondation L'Oréal Columbia University

"Science is all about asking questions no one's asked before." Meet Emma Vogel, marine ecologist and researcher at the University of Tromsø in Norway. Emma studies why whales go where they go, tracking their movements to understand what drives them and the risks they face along the way, from boat traffic to entanglement in fishing gear. Using trackers fitted with cameras and microphones, she can see and hear what whales do beneath the surface, revealing behaviours that would otherwise be difficult to observe. From curiosity to discovery, a new generation of scientists is asking new questions about the world around us. Under the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, UNESCO is partnering with the AXA Foundation for Human Progress and Nature to put this generation in the spotlight. A new generation of scientists #ScienceDecade Nature https://lnkd.in/ey_z6wxV

Once a species found only in one place becomes extinct, there is no second chance. UNESCO's latest report highlights the essential role of UNESCO-designated sites in safeguarding unique biodiversity. Protecting these places helps safeguard species with no other natural home and the ecosystems they are part of. Explore the findings: https://lnkd.in/edvEEx2K

How do ideas travel from one language to another? For nearly a century, UNESCO’s Index Translationum has helped answer that question. Created in 1932, this pioneering database records translations published around the world, offering a unique window into the international circulation of literary, scientific and cultural works. Today, it contains more than 700,000 bibliographic records from 100 countries. In 2025, the Index Translationum entered a new chapter, with decades of data made openly accessible to researchers, translators, publishers and readers interested in exploring cultural exchange across time. Discover how this landmark resource continues to support linguistic diversity and the global circulation of knowledge: https://lnkd.in/e4VVRzHs

Each year, 11 million young people enter Africa’s labour market, but 40% lack the skills employers need. Bridging this gap is urgent. In Côte d’Ivoire, student Koffi Anaïs had an idea for a medical monitoring kit connecting rural patients with doctors, but lacked the technical expertise to build it. With UNESCO’s support, she completed her prototype. In Uganda, student Cosmas Kumarwa benefited from the same programme, helping him bring his concept for a bio-organic fertilizer to market. Across six African countries, UNESCO’s support to higher technical education has reached over 25,000 students and 1,600 teachers. New curricula are helping connect education with employment and giving young innovators in fields from agriculture to healthcare the skills to turn their ideas into impact. Discover their stories: https://lnkd.in/gS93cU84

To understand the future of wildlife, look to the places where it still thrives. UNESCO-designated sites shelter some of the world's most iconic species, from elephants and pandas to great apes. Across the world, these sites protect vital habitats and ecosystems that support biodiversity and the communities that depend on them. UNESCO's latest report explores why safeguarding these places is essential for the future of biodiversity. Read more: https://lnkd.in/edvEEx2K #ForThePeople #ForNature