In December 2025, UNESCO Headquarters in Paris hosted World Futures Day, serving as a global hub for discussions on strategies shaping the future. This flagship UN event brings together leading thinkers, scientists, and government officials to develop scenarios that enhance resilience in a rapidly changing world. The 2025 theme, Anticipation in an Age of Instability, underscored the crucial role of anticipatory governance and the capacity of societies to act proactively in response to environmental and social challenges.
This prestigious international event was attended by a delegation from 91Ƶ, including key members of the project team for the Center of Excellence for Smart Agriculture and Circular Bioeconomy towards a Sustainable Agri-Food Sector in Enlargement Countries (and Beyond) (AGRI-BIOCIRCULAR-HUB, No. 101186869): Professor Myroslav Maliovanyi, Head of the Department of Ecology and Sustainable Environmental Management (ESEM), the Viacheslav Chornovil Institute of Sustainable Development; Associate Professor Ivan Tymchuk, the ESEM Department; and Associate Professor Volodymyr Zhuk, the Department of Hydraulic and Water Engineering, the Institute of Civil Engineering, Infrastructure and Life Safety. The participation of Lviv Polytechnic researchers at this global forum in Paris underscored the significant role of Ukrainian science and its contribution to addressing global challenges in sustainable development.
The visit to UNESCO Headquarters opens significant prospects for the successful implementation of the AGRI-BIOCIRCULAR-HUB international project under the Horizon Europe program. Within the framework of dissemination and communication of results (WP8), participation in the forum enabled the university delegation to present the concept of a Center of Excellence for Smart Agriculture and Circular Bioeconomy to a wide range of international partners. Establishing contacts with global stakeholders and exchanging experience on the implementation of green technologies is crucial for transforming Ukraine’s agri-food sector in line with European standards.
During the visit, special attention was given to the strategic integration of the AGRI-BIOCIRCULAR-HUB project with the activities of the UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Water and Waste Management, recently established at Lviv Polytechnic. Since both initiatives are driven by the same core team, the establishment of this Chair provides a powerful mechanism for scaling the project’s outcomes.
UNESCO’s international status opens new avenues for the team, enabling more effective promotion of circular economy initiatives on a global scale. This development further positions Lviv Polytechnic as a key player in the field of sustainable resource management.
