International Week of Science and Peace2026 · Date · History · Messages
A/RES/43/61
About International Week of Science and Peace
International Week of Science and Peace takes place each year during the week in which 11 November falls. It encourages attention to the relationship between scientific progress, international peace, security and cooperation.
The UN proclamation followed successful scientist-led observances in 1986 and 1987 rather than creating the idea from nothing.
Why International Week of Science and Peace matters
Science can support peace through shared research, communication across borders, evidence for policy, arms-control verification, public health, environmental cooperation and other forms of practical collaboration.
The observance also invites reflection on the responsibilities attached to scientific and technological development, including how research priorities and applications can affect security and human well-being.
History of International Week of Science and Peace
The first International Week of Scientists for Peace was held from 10 to 16 November 1986 during the International Year of Peace, following an initiative by an international association of scientists.
A second Week was held from 9 to 15 November 1987, and the organizers continued seeking wider participation.
On 6 December 1988, the UN General Assembly adopted A/RES/43/61 and proclaimed an International Week of Science and Peace to take place each year during the week in which 11 November falls.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
International Week of Scientists for Peace
Successful scientist-led observances in 1986 and 1987 preceded and informed the General Assembly’s 1988 proclamation of the recurring International Week of Science and Peace.
An international association of scientists
The UN Yearbook records Costa Rica’s explanation that an international association of scientists proposed the 1986 International Week of Scientists for Peace.
United Nations General Assembly
UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/43/61
First documented observance
The UN Yearbook identifies the First International Week of Scientists for Peace as 10–16 November 1986, and the UN observance page describes 1986 as the first observance.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
Predecessor and precursor observances
Earlier or merged observances are kept separate from former names and later institutional actions.
How to Observe International Week of Science and Peace
Host a discussion on a scientific field where international data-sharing or joint standards reduce shared risks.
Study an example of scientific cooperation across political borders and distinguish the technical achievement from broader diplomatic claims.
Discuss dual-use technologies with attention to both benefits and security risks rather than assuming scientific progress is automatically peaceful.
Connect students or researchers with credible institutions working on science diplomacy, arms-control verification, climate cooperation or public-health collaboration.
International Week of Science and Peace Facts
The Week is held during the week in which 11 November falls.
The first precursor Week was held from 10 to 16 November 1986.
A second precursor observance followed from 9 to 15 November 1987.
The UN General Assembly adopted A/RES/43/61 on 6 December 1988.
International Week of Science and Peace Messages
May International Week of Science and Peace encourage thoughtful participation, shared responsibility and action that continues after the observance ends.
Wishing everyone observing International Week of Science and Peace a day of reflection, constructive dialogue and purposeful follow-through.
On International Week of Science and Peace, may awareness lead to informed discussion, practical action and respect for the communities at the heart of the observance.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/43/61 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Yearbook 1988 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — International Week of Science and Peace (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — International Week of Science and Peace (opens in a new tab)
Dedicated Authoritative Page
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is International Week of Science and Peace?
Week in which 11 November falls (9–15 November on the UN calendar) The documented recurrence rule is: Week in which 11 November falls.
Does International Week of Science and Peace fall on the same date every year?
It follows a recurring calendar rule, so the Gregorian date can change from year to year.
Is International Week of Science and Peace an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United Nations international week. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes International Week of Science and Peace?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as An international association of scientists.
Is International Week of Science and Peace international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: United Nations international week. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
When did the International Week of Science and Peace begin?
The UN records a first scientist-led observance in 1986 and a second in 1987. The General Assembly formally proclaimed the annual International Week of Science and Peace in 1988.
What resolution established the UN observance?
The General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/43/61 on 6 December 1988.
When is the Week observed?
The establishing resolution schedules it during the week in which 11 November falls.