Illustration on Open Science

Open Science

Making science more accessible, inclusive and equitable for the benefit of all
UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science

In a world first, UNESCO sets international standards for open science

Press release

UNESCO sets ambitious international standards for open science

Call for papers

Open science policies as an accelerator for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

About open science

Open Science has the potential of making the scientific process more transparent, inclusive and democratic.  It is increasingly recognized as a critical accelerator for the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and a true game changer in bridging the science, technology and innovation gaps and fulfilling the human right to science.

Setting global standards for open science for all

In the fragmented scientific and policy environment, a global understanding of the meaning, opportunities and challenges of open science is needed for its fair and equitable operationalization at the individual, institutional, national, regional and international levels.

The UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science provides an international framework for open science policy and practice that recognizes disciplinary and regional differences in open science perspectives. It takes into account academic freedom, gender-transformative approaches and the specific challenges of scientists and other open science actors in different countries and in particular in developing countries, and contributes to reducing the digital, technological and knowledge divides existing between and within countries.

Following an inclusive, transparent and multistakeholder consultative process, the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science was adopted by the 41st session of UNESCO General Conference in November 2021.

This Recommendation outlines:

  • A common definition for open science
  • Core values and guiding principles for open science
  • Recommendations for priority areas of actions
the potential of open science

UNESCO Global Open Science Partnership

UNESCO Global Open Science Partnership
The broad Open Science Partnership brings together all the relevant and interested Open Science stakeholders across the world. The Partnership is open ended and the scientific community, public and private science, technology and innovation institutions, relevant private sector and industry, United Nations agencies and all other relevant open science actors.
Join the movement, act and advocate for open science.

Areas of action in open science

Open science chanmpions share their perspectives

As a new international instrument sets global standards to ensure that Open Science leaves no one behind, with the adoption of the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science, six experts share their perspectives.

UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science
UNESCO
2021
UNESCO
0000379949
Towards a global consensus on open science: report on UNESCO’s global online consultation on open science
2020
UNESCO
0000375217
Towards a Global Consensus on Open Science: reports on UNESCO’s regional consultations on open science
2020
UNESCO
0000375219
Draft Recommendation on Open Science
8 September 2021
UNESCO
0000378841
Preliminary study of the technical, financial and legal aspects of the desirability of a UNESCO recommendation on Open Science
3 September 2019
UNESCO
0000370291

Contact

For more information, please contact openscience@unesco.org

UNESCO's work on open science is led by its Section on Science Policy and Parternships (SC/SPP)