From 22 to 24 September 2025, Belgrade hosted the World Conference on Science and Art for Sustainability, an event that united scientific and artistic communities from across the majority of the world to explore how science and art can jointly respond to today’s interlinked global challenges. 

It was the first conference of the Earth-Humanity Coalition (EHC) and the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS) programme and a flagship milestone of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD) 2024–2033. 

As founding members of the Earth-Humanity Coalition, The Club of Rome and The Fifth Element are partners of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, working together to mobilise all sciences at the service of humanity and enable change in the coming decade. 

The Belgrade Declaration: a call for integrative, ethical and pluriversal action 

A key outcome of the conference, the declaration calls for a fundamental shift in how global crises are addressed. Developed from the conference debates, it urges the integration of scientific, artistic and traditional knowledge to confront the deep polycrisis facing humanity. 

It highlights several central needs: 

1. Systemic and multiple disciplinary responses 

The declaration underscores that existential threats, including climate change, geopolitical fragmentation and the misuse of artificial intelligence, are deeply interdependent and cannot be solved through siloed approaches. It calls for scientific, artistic, social and humanistic knowledge to be integrated, and for stronger engagement with traditional and indigenous perspectives.  

2. Closer cooperation between science and art 

Science and art are presented as complementary ways of understanding humanity, nature and the universe. The declaration argues that deeper integration between them can strengthen societal awareness, inspire new paradigms and support the transformative shifts needed for peaceful ecological civilisations.  

3. Renewed commitment to education and knowledge systems 

Education should nurture curiosity, creativity and responsibility by connecting scientific, artistic and cultural knowledge. The declaration supports the creation of a ‘worldwide grid of transdisciplinary hubs for sustainability’, enabling collaboration from local to global levels.  

4. Stronger support for science, art and education 

Delegates emphasised the need to rebuild trust between decision-makers, scientists and artists, and to create new spaces for cooperation grounded in mutual respect. The declaration also calls for more inclusive, evidence-based scientific advice and for diplomacy to foster peaceful relations and shared commitment to sustainability. It stresses that the majority of the world must receive equal attention.  

The declaration was written by Michel Spiro, from The Earth-Humanity Coalition, Garry Jacobs and Nebojša Nešković, from WAAS and The Club of Rome, Paul Shrivastava and Carlos Álvarez Pereira, from The Club of Rome, and Steven Hartman, from the UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES Coalition. 

Outcome documents from the conference: 

• The Belgrade declaration on science and art for sustainability (mentioned above).  

• The World Conference on Science and Art for Sustainability report, prepared by the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), highlights how the IDSSD aims to build regenerative and peaceful pathways grounded in human security, sustainability and planetary wellbeing. 

• The interviews exploring 11 speakers’ perspectives on global challenges, the role of science and art and the transformative ideas emerging from the conference, by Vesna de Vinča, a journalist, writer and producer from Belgrade. 

A step forward 

The World Conference on Science and Art for Sustainability marks an important step forward in the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, reinforcing that science and art – working in concert with communities and institutions across regions – can help shape more peaceful, resilient and equitable futures.