Beacon of science shines brightly

Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, assistant director-general for natural sciences at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, said that "the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated a unique and productive international solidarity among scientists across the world".

"They are exchanging scientific and technological data, and information beyond borders," she said, adding that Chinese scientists published the "extremely important" genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus very early, which enabled other countries to develop screening tests.

"(The sharing) promoted open science and scientific collaboration across the world," she said. "We need to boost scientific input in decision-making and preparedness," she said, thus allowing "science as a beacon to inform governance".

Nair-Bedouelle said UNESCO warmly welcomes the open science COVID-19 platform set up by Chinese scientists. "The initiative is really in the spirit of making science more accessible, more connected to societal needs, and promoting equal opportunities for people and scientists across the world."