According to UNESCO’s Medium term plan 2008-13, the strategic objective for the science sector is “Mobilizing Science, knowledge and policy for sustainable development”.  In this biennium the sectoral priorities are as follows:

Biennial Sectoral priority 1: Strengthening science, technology and innovation (STI) systems and policies for sustainable development, poverty eradication and a culture of peace and non-violence.

Biennial Sectoral priority 2: Mobilizing science for the sustainable use of natural resources, renewable energy and energy efficiency, and for natural disaster reduction and mitigation.

As in the previous biennium, the major activities of the science programme will involve either capacity building in relevant areas of science and technology or technical assistance to members states in policy formulation. The following will be the main lines of action (MLA) in 2012-13:

• MLA 1: Promoting STI policies and access to knowledge.

• MLA 2: Building capacities in the basic sciences, including through the International Basic Sciences Programme (IBSP), in engineering and for the use of renewable energy.

• MLA 3: Mobilizing broad-based participation in STI.

• MLA 4: UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) with a view to improving governance and fostering intergovernmental cooperation to manage and protect oceans and coastal zones for the benefit of its Member States.

• MLA 5: Freshwater systems under stress and societal responses, incorporating the work of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) and the World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP).

• MLA 6: Enabling the application of ecological and earth sciences for sustainability, including through the Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme and the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP).

• MLA 7: Natural disaster risk reduction and mitigation.