In this interview during the opening ceremony of IYBSSD, Merieme Chadid, President of the Scientific Council of UNESCO’s International Basic Sciences Program, urged the international community to take action towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Who are you?
I am an Antarctic explorer and I go there to do astronomy.
I study particular stars. The night there lasts six months and there is no light pollution so we have a very good image quality. It is essential to study our stars, our galaxies and the universe in general.
I also make measurements of atmospheric turbulence that are in direct connection with climate change.
What is the objective of the international program on basic sciences of UNESCO?
Our main goal, really, is to create this very strong link between fundamental sciences and sustainable development.
We are trying to put in place policies to achieve the 17 goals that were cited in the 2030 Global Agenda by the United Nations. My board and I are really here to raise awareness in the world, the citizen, the intergovernmental organizations to achieve these 17 goals of sustainable development.
What is your dearest wish for this coming year?
I want all citizens to be aware of these 17 sustainable development goals of the Agenda 2030 and to take action.
We need to achieve gender parity in science, eradicate poverty in the world, reduce the effects of climate change, have perfect oceans, and clean water for all.
And above all, it is to make our world of peace a unique and sustainable world for everyone.
Interview by Laurent Orluc