7. The right to share in scientific advancement and its benefits is recognized in article
27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and, in slightly different terms,

in article 15 (1)(b) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Although both texts link it with the right to take part in cultural life and to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from scientific, literary or artistic production, the right to
science is usually considered in isolation.

The juxtaposition with the right to culture has often been viewed as coincidental.

The Special Rapporteur believes that, to the contrary, the rights to science and culture should be read together and in conjunction with, in particular, the right of all peoples to self-determination and the right of everyone to take part in the conduct of public affairs (see also paragraph 21 below).

38. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights further stipulates the obligations of States Parties to promote the conservation, the development and the diffusion of science and culture (art. 15 (2)),

to respect the freedom indispensable for scientific research and creative activity (art. 15 (3))

and to recognize the benefits to be derived from the encouragement and development of international contacts and cooperation in the scientific and cultural fields (art. 15 (4)).

The Special Rapporteur considers the calls for international cooperation in the area of science and transfers of technologies, as made in numerous United Nations and other documents, as particularly important for realizing the right to science for all.