In July, UNESCO will host the inaugural global conference on the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development in Paris. Springer Nature will participate in the event, contributing to panel discussions and a photography exhibition aligned with the theme “Science in action: charting a sustainable and equitable future for all.”
The conference will convene representatives from governments, academia, industry, and civil society to examine how science can accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Magdalena Skipper, Editor in Chief of Nature, is scheduled to join a plenary session focused on strengthening collective action across the scientific community in support of sustainable development. She will also collaborate with UNESCO’s leadership in opening a photography exhibition titled “A new generation of scientists” (Une nouvelle génération de scientifiques), featuring winning images from Nature’s Scientist at Work competition. The exhibition, co‑sponsored by UNESCO and the AXA Foundation for Human Progress, highlights eleven young scientists whose work illustrates the role of the next generation in shaping future research.
Additional sessions include a discussion on the role of research in policy and decision‑making related to the SDGs, led by Nicola Jones, Director of Springer Nature’s SDG publishing program, and Euan Adie, CEO of Overton. Building on Springer Nature and Overton’s joint study of 12 million policy documents published last year, the session will present new qualitative case studies offering insights into how research can influence policy decisions.
Springer Nature’s primary contribution to advancing the SDGs is through the dissemination of curated, high‑quality content. By raising awareness among researchers and sharing reliable insights with policymakers, the publisher aims to support informed decision‑making. Since 2015, Springer Nature has published more than one million SDG‑related articles and books, cited over 23 million times. In 2025 alone, the publisher released more than 158,000 SDG‑related works, 62 percent of which were open access, increasing accessibility for policymakers and practitioners.
Skipper noted that the UN’s 2030 Agenda emphasizes the importance of science in informing policy and delivering societal outcomes. She explained that the exhibition and conference demonstrate why science is essential for building a better future, pointing to qualities such as rigor, collaboration, and creativity as key to finding solutions that benefit people globally.
Jones observed that as 2030 approaches, attention is shifting toward accelerating progress on the Goals. She emphasized that science and research play a critical role in supporting evidence‑based decision‑making and addressing complex global challenges, adding that the event provides an opportunity to strengthen knowledge exchange and partnerships.
Åsa Regnér, Deputy Director‑General of UNESCO, stated that achieving the SDGs requires science and policy to advance together. She remarked that the scientific community has shown strong commitment, and governments must now match this effort by implementing open science policies, strengthening research systems across both the Global South and North, and ensuring that evidence guides decisions before 2030.
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