UNESCO officially joins Saramago’s centennial, approves other Portuguese proposals

UNESCO has approved by consensus to associate itself with the centenary of the birth of José Saramago and the centenary of the first flight across the South Atlantic, and formally adopted the recommendation on Open Science, a Portuguese initiative.

The General Conference of UNESCO approved on Tuesday to associate itself with the two Portuguese centenaries that will be celebrated in 2022, making their dates appear in the anniversaries calendars.

As for the Open Science recommendation, a way for the organization to recognize the promotion of greater sharing in the field of science, it was also approved by acclamation.

This is a recommendation that, according to Portuguese Ambassador António Sampaio da Nóvoa, will bring benefits to the fields of “peace, human rights, sustainable development and the well-being of humanity”.

Open Science was a proposal put forward by Portugal, having become one of the main measures of the General Conference, with the support of UNESCO’s Director-General, Audrey Azoulay.

The International Geodiversity Day was also approved, another Portuguese initiative, which will be celebrated on 6 October every year.