UNESCO Appoints First Brazilian Deputy Director-General for Science

Denise Pires de Carvalho will soon become UNESCO’s Deputy Director-General for Science, marking the first time a Brazilian holds the post since the UN’s founding. A physician, professor, and former president of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Carvalho brings a record of leading research programs and advancing international cooperation. She has championed South‑South collaboration at the graduate level, expanding ties with Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa, and has emphasized equitable access, gender equality, and inclusive governance in science. Her appointment reflects Brazil’s growing emphasis on science as a driver of development and its commitment to multilateral, people‑centered research. UNESCO’s Directorate‑General for Science will use her expertise to promote global scientific cooperation and ethical AI guidance.