"ABC 110 years: legacy, commitment and the future of science as a national project"

Celebrating 110 years of the ABC (Brazilian Academy of Sciences) is also to reaffirm its historical role in the active defense of science as a state policy. Over the last few decades, the Academy has produced strategic documents that guide the country in decisive moments, as expressed, for example, in the documents addressed to presidential candidates.

The Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC) will celebrate 110 years in 2026, marking a trajectory deeply intertwined with the scientific and technological development of Brazil. Since its founding in 1916, the ABC has acted not only as a space of academic excellence, but also as a qualified voice in the formulation of strategic agendas for the country.

This milestone is, above all, an opportunity to recognize the legacy built by successive generations of scientists who helped structure the National System of Science, Technology and Innovation (SNCTI). This legacy is expressed in the training of talent, the production of excellent knowledge, and the permanent defense of science as a public good essential to national development.

But celebrating 110 years of the ABC (Brazilian Academy of Sciences) is also to reaffirm its historical role in the active defense of science as a state policy. Over the last few decades, the Academy has produced strategic documents that guide the country in decisive moments, expressed, for example, in the documents addressed to presidential candidates. These documents synthesize consensuses and aspirations of the scientific community and point to concrete paths for Brazil, defending, for example, the structural strengthening of the science, technology and innovation system and the expansion of investments in the sector, with goals such as reaching 2% of GDP.

More than just diagnoses, these contributions reaffirm that Science, Technology, and Innovation cannot be treated as short-term agendas, but as the foundation of a long-term national project. The ABC's own continuous production of studies and recommendations focused on education, basic research, and innovation demonstrates its commitment to evidence-based public policies and to building a more competitive and socially just country.

At the same time, the celebration of the 110th anniversary projects the Academy into the future. In a global scenario marked by complex challenges—from climate change to digital transformation—the need to integrate science, innovation, and development becomes even more evident. Recent ABC initiatives point in this direction, advocating for the valorization of basic research, the definition of national missions, and the articulation between science and industrial policy as pillars of a sustainable development strategy.

It is especially significant that this historic moment coincides with the leadership of the first woman at the head of the Academy. Her presidency represents an institutional and symbolic advancement, reflecting the construction of a more diverse, inclusive science aligned with contemporary challenges.

As president of the Center for Management and Strategic Studies (CGEE), a social organization linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) through a management contract, an institution dedicated to the analysis and support of policy formulation in science, technology and innovation, and on behalf of its Board of Directors, I recognize the Brazilian Academy of Sciences as a fundamental partner, with an active and proactive representation on the CGEE's Board of Directors.

Two aspects common to the work produced by ABC and CGEE are the convergence between knowledge production and strategic reflection, which has been and will continue to be crucial for repositioning science at the center of the Brazilian development project.

Celebrating the 110th anniversary of the ABC (Brazilian Academy of Sciences) is, therefore, more than just honoring its history. It is about renewing the commitment to the future: a future in which Brazilian science is fully recognized as a structuring axis of sovereignty, innovation, and quality of life for society.

Anderson SL Gomes (andersonslgomes@cgee.org.br) is President of the Center for Management and Strategic Studies and Vice-President of ABC for the Northeast and Espírito Santo regions.