AIR-Led International Program on Pest and Disease Selected as UNESCO-Endorsed Program for Sustainable Development

An international program titled "Global Vegetation Pest and Disease Habitat Monitoring and Risk Forecasting," led by the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has been endorsed by UNESCO as one of 25 inaugural global initiatives under the United Nations' International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development (IDSSD 2024–2033). The announcement was made during the UN's Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology, and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on May 7, 2024, in New York, U.S.

The program addresses critical challenges in monitoring and mitigating vegetation pests and diseases that threaten global food security and biodiversity. By integrating cutting-edge remote sensing technologies, bio-ecological modeling, and artificial intelligence (AI), it aims to develop a comprehensive early warning system to predict outbreaks, assess agricultural losses, and guide efficient prevention strategies.

Key objectives include:

·  Building advanced remote sensing systems to track major global pests and diseases.

·  Developing open-access tools for real-time risk assessment and damage evaluation.

·  Fostering international collaboration to strengthen data-driven policy making and sustainable agricultural practices.

The initiative seeks to establish a full-chain technological framework, combining big data analytic with ecological mechanisms to generate actionable insights for governments, industries, and international organizations.

"UNESCO's recognition highlights the urgency of tackling vegetation pests and diseases as a critical global challenge" said DONG Yingying, project leader and associate researcher at AIR. "By integrating advanced technologies with international expertise, we strive to empower vulnerable communities and safeguard ecosystems worldwide."

The endorsement marks a significant milestone for AIR and its global partners—CAB International and Pakistan Academy of Sciences—reinforcing their commitment to science-driven solutions under the framework of IDSSD. It also underscores the growing role of interdisciplinary innovation—bridging space technology, ecology, and AI—to address urgent environmental and agricultural threats.

As part of its mission, the program will prioritize open data sharing and capacity-building, ensuring equitable access to tools that enhance resilience against crop diseases and invasive species. Its outcomes are expected to directly advance SDGs related to zero hunger, climate action, and life on land.

Brief introduction of the program. (Image by AIR)