6 February 2026, Kyoto, Japan — The Asia Science Mission officially held its inaugural Steering Committee meeting on 6 February 2026 at the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN) in Kyoto. The meeting brought together senior representatives from the International Science Council, Future Earth, APN, the Australian National University (ANU), and regional leaders to shape a bold new approach to science for sustainable development in Asia.
As one of only two global pilot missions under the UN Decade of Science for Sustainable Development, the Asia Science Mission aims to transform how science supports decision-making—moving beyond isolated projects toward integrated, mission-driven, action-oriented learning.
A key milestone of the meeting was the unanimous confirmation of Ambassador Csaba Kőrösi, former President of the UN General Assembly, as Chair of the Steering Committee, underscoring the mission’s strong international leadership and ambition.
The Steering Committee also agreed on governance arrangements and confirmed the mission’s strategic direction. Funded by the Australian Government through the ISC Asia-Pacific Regional Focal Point, the Asia Science Mission is positioned as a flagship regional initiative supporting the Sustainable Development Goals.
The mission is currently in a co-design phase (2025–2027), focusing on addressing complex, interconnected sustainability challenges by strengthening knowledge integration, managing uncertainty, and supporting decisions across sectors and scales.
Early demonstration activities were introduced in India (Purulia) and the Philippines, showcasing how the Asia Science Mission will work with communities, institutions, and stakeholders to tackle coupled socio-ecological risks in highly vulnerable contexts.
With strong regional partnerships, high-level leadership, and a systems-based, transdisciplinary approach, the Asia Science Mission is set to play a catalytic role in reshaping science for sustainable development across the Asia-Pacific region.
The Asia Science Mission is Asia’s first mission-oriented, multi-country platform accelerating resilience and sustainability through science–policy–community partnerships. It is led by Future Earth Asia, supported by the International Science Council, and implemented with regional partners including RIHN, APN and ANU.
