Walter Erdelen, the assistant director for Natural Sciences of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has called on researchers, scientists, governments, intergovernmental organizations, and the civil society groups around the world to join forces in the effort to achieve equitable development.

Speaking at the recently ended three-day Global Ministerial Forum on Research for Health in the Malian Capital, Bamako, Erdelen said the process of planning and working with partners for the global forum on research for health has been a great value to UNESCO.

“This joint initiative constitutes a first step towards the necessary and fruitful cooperation between UNESCO, WHO, World Bank, the Council on Health Research for Development and the Global Forum for Health among other partners. This work has permitted UNESCO to address the issue of research for health in a coherent manner,” he said.

“The Bamako forum has special significance in the context of the World Science Day of Peace and Development, which is celebrated worldwide on November 10 each year. The purpose of celebrating this day is to recall our collective commitment in sharing science for the benefit of societies and in creating a new international solidarity,” he added.