UNESCO Unveils $1.5 Billion Plan to Rebuild Sudan’s Scientific Sector

Khartoum – Sudanhorizon
The Representative and Head of UNESCO Office in Sudan, Junaid Sorosh, has unveiled a proposed $1.5 billion recovery plan for Sudan’s science, technology, and innovation sector. Spanning five years, the initiative aims to rebuild infrastructure, support researchers, and establish a resilient and inclusive scientific system.

Speaking at the opening session of an international forum—titled “The Cost of Lost Knowledge and the Restoration of Scientific Activities in Crisis-Affected Countries”—held Wednesday at the International University of Africa in Khartoum, Sorosh emphasized that investing in education and science is vital for safeguarding Sudan’s future. He noted that the war, which began on April 15, 2023, has damaged 124 educational and scientific institutions. He further reaffirmed UNESCO’s commitment to supporting Sudanese scientists and highlighted their essential role in economic recovery and development.

For his part, Professor Ahmed Obeid, representing the “Solidarity for the Future” initiative—under the theme “Scientific Research Cannot Wait”—stressed that the expertise of scientists who have been forced to leave their institutions is a valuable asset that must be preserved. He underscored that researchers should be viewed as partners in designing solutions rather than mere beneficiaries, warning that any halt to scientific research results in the loss of irreplaceable opportunities. In the same vein, Abdelmajid Ben Amara, Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities, stated that the cost of “lost knowledge”—in economic, social, and scientific terms—hampers both society and national memory. He emphasized that holding the forum in Khartoum, despite the ongoing war, and its alignment with the 2026 International Open Access Week for scientific publications, serves as a testament to Sudan’s capacity to overcome challenges, thanks to its human potential.

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