The work of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD) (2024-2033) is coordinated by UNESCO in Paris, France.

DDE was one of the first set of initiatives recognized by IDSSD in early 2025.

DDE submitted its report on its implementation in 2025-2026 to UNESCO on 15 April 2026. The report, and the accompanying four action briefs can be accessed here (provide link).

DDE established a booth in UNESCO during the IDSSD Conference during 15-17 July 2026 and informed a range of visitors, including UNESCO staff, representatives of UN organizations and a few UN Member States about the work of DDE and the opportunities it offers for advancing international cooperation in geological sciences. Prof. Manuel Pubellier and his colleague Dr. Cedric Bulois of CGMW, a Paris-based Member of the DDE Governing Council, provided suggestions and assistance in setting up the DDE booth.

DDE was represented at the event by Prof. Qiuming Cheng, Chair, DDE Executive Committee, Prof. William Cavazza, Member, DDE Executive Committee, Prof. Mike Stephenson, DDE Director for Africa, Europe and the Middle East and Dr. Natarajan Ishwaran, DDE Secretary General. Prof. Manuel Pubellier and Dr. Andrei Rosu of CGMW also attended the event. All of them, in addition to being present at the booth, attended several of the technical sessions and most of the plenary debates and panels to learn from a wide range of perspectives on the work of IDSSD in the coming years.

Prof. Mike Stephenson and Prof. Qiuming Cheng with Dr. Jorge Ellis De Luca, Senior Geologist (all seated) in UNESCO’s Division of Hydrology sharing information on the DDE Platform GeoGPT and other projects, products and services offered by DDE. Prof. William Cavazza, standing, in conversation with another visitor to the booth.

Prof. Mike Stephenson with Prof. Charles Spillane, Cheif Scientist of FAO, while Dr. Jorge Ellis De Luca views the DDE posters.

The aim of the DDE-ISI (see: DDE-ISI.pdf) to match the “funding from China and consolidate financial support over a 10-year time horizon” will closely match the IDSSD duration from 2024 to 2033. DDE-ISI began in 2025 to implement the DDE Strategic Framework, 2025-2028 and the release of the first tranche of funding of around $ 13 million in November 2025 provided by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), China. The first round of calls-for-proposals under this funding is expected soon, as definition of management and administrative rules and regulations for the use of funds, including those for generating counterpart/matching funding from sources outside of China, is nearing finalization.

DDE could also provide important insights and examples on the role of geological sciences and data-driven research for UN Member States to deliver SDGs as the UN enters the last five years of its “2030 Agenda” in the implementation of the seventeen SDGs. The period between now and 2030 will generate several assessments and evaluations of public and private sector contributions to support the implementation of SDGs and offers opportunities for DDE to make the case for greater recognition and engagement of geological sciences in addressing global challenges such as energy transition, critical minerals and rare earths for green economies and adapting to hitherto unforeseen futures that climate change is expected to carry the planet and people. 

DDE looks ahead to more interactions with UNESCO, other international partners and UN Member States, particularly those from Africa, to implement projects and initiatives during 2026-2028 that will directly contribute to the goals and objectives of IDSSD. DDE hopes to be able to provide more significant inputs and contributions to the next IDSSD conference in 2027.