Reorganization of the Natural Sciences Sector of UNESCO

Gretchen Kalonji, the Assistant Director General of UNESCO leading the Natural Science Sector has announced a reorganization.

The Sector staff will be grouped in three main divisions:

• Water Sciences
• Ecological and Earth Sciences
• Science Policy and Capacity Building

"The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) will maintain the degree of autonomy it has enjoyed to date, while making every effort to further enhance its contribution to the work of the sector. It will continue to be served by its own Assistant Director-General, as well as by separate Executive and Administrative units."

There will be four cross cutting thematic units:

• Natural Disasters
• Biodiversity
• Science Education and
• a "UNESCO Engineering Initiative"

In addition to the four cross-cutting themes listed above, the Natural Sciences Sector will continue to play lead roles in two of the UNESCO-wide intersectoral platforms:

• UNESCO contribution to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and 
• UNESCO’s contribution to the Mauritius Strategy for Small Island Developing States.

Read more about the reorganization and its objectives.