Sustainable solutions, whether at the global, regional or country level, require creativity, new advances in scientific knowledge, discoveries and innovations. Innovation geared towards sustainable development has the potential to lift economic growth, create green jobs, boost social development while at the same time contributing to environmental protection and conservation. The development of solutions to these key global challenges, and the transition towards ‘green societies’ will require the mobilization of a wave of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. It will also require a clear strategy that puts science and education at its core. The innovations to transform our societies towards sustainability must be based on sound STI. In mobilizing such ‘Science for Sustainability’ concept, however, we must apply a forward looking approach that aims to maximize the benefits and minimizes possible negative spin-offs from new S&T based innovations and developments. In that respect we need to learn a lot from mistakes in the past. Besides, it is also clear that we need to ‘educate for a sustainable future’.

Natural Sciences sub-themes: 

• Science Policy and Capacity Building
• Small Islands and Indigenous Knowledge
• Earth Sciences 
• Ecological and Earth Sciences
• Water Sciences 
• Disaster Risk Reduction 
• Sustainability Science

UNESCO`s Programmes on environment and sustainable development: UNESCO began sounding the alarm over the need for a sustainable development in 1968 by organizing a groundbreaking conference questioning our unbridled exploitation of nature. Since then, UNESCO has developed several international scientific programmes to better understanding and managing the Earth`s resources. These programmes are playing important role in Asia and the Pacific region. 

International Hydrological Programme (IHP): IHP aims at providing scientific knowledge, technical training and policy advice required to manage this precious resource of water efficiently, fairly and environmentally. IHP is increasingly involved in developing tools and strategties to prevent water conflicts from eruptiong between and within states. 

Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme: The MAB Programme was established in 1971 and has currently around 130 member countries worldwide. Most of these countries are in Asia and the Pacific. MAB has developed a Worldwide Network of Biosphere Reserves since 1976 which now has some 430 sites as UNESCO Biosphere Reserves list. Biosphere Reserves are special places for people and nature, representing a majority of the world`s terrestrial and coastal ecosystems. Each biosphere Reserve acts like a `living laboratory` that tests ways of managing natural resources while fostering economic and social development. 

International Geological Correlation Programme (IGCP): With the help of the International Union of Geological Sciences, scientists in more than 150 countries are improving techniques to assess energy and mineral resources while expanding the knowledge base of the Earth`s geological processes and reducing the risk of natural disasters in developing countries. 

Asia Pacific Gender Equity in Science and Technology (APGEST): The APGEST is a breakthrough initiative on gender. The objective of this programme is to promote the adoption of policies and programmes that ensure access to Science and Technology by poor women in the Asia Pacific.

Natural World Heritage: The Natural World Heritage is the priceless and irreplaceable possessions that belongs not only to each nation, but also to all humanity. Part of this heritage of humanity is considered to be of outstanding universal value and as such worth of special protection.

As per the new strategy, the following four projects have been initiated in 2009;

1. Biosphere Reserves for Environmental and Economic Security (BREES)
2. Water Interoperability Networks for Global Change Adaptation (WINGA)
3. COMprehensive Program to Enhance Technology, Engineering and ScieNCE Education (COMPETENCE)
4. Strengthening Resilience of Coastal and Small Island Communities towards Hydro-meteorological Hazards and Climate Change Impacts (StResCom)