Building Bridges through Science Diplomacy: Accelerating progress toward sustainable development

Summary

This discussion focused on the role of science diplomacy in addressing global challenges and fostering international cooperation. Speakers highlighted how scientific collaboration can build trust between nations and contribute to sustainable development. Several case studies were presented, including marine conservation efforts between Costa Rica and Ecuador, the SESAME particle accelerator in the Middle East, and gorilla conservation work in Africa. These examples demonstrated how science can transcend political boundaries to tackle shared problems.

Participants emphasized the need to embed scientific expertise more deeply in diplomatic and policymaking processes. There were calls to increase funding for international scientific partnerships and to ensure developing countries are included. The importance of indigenous knowledge systems was highlighted, with a plea for their equal recognition alongside Western scientific approaches. Challenges facing science diplomacy were discussed, including geopolitical tensions, sanctions that hinder collaboration, and the undermining of trust in science.

Young scientists face particular obstacles in engaging in science diplomacy, such as visa restrictions and limited mobility. Speakers advocated for more inclusive policies to involve researchers from countries currently excluded from global scientific discourse. The discussion emphasized the need to simplify and communicate science effectively to the public to combat misinformation. Overall, participants agreed on the critical importance of strengthening the role of science in multilateral efforts to address urgent global issues like climate change and emerging technologies.

Keypoints

Major discussion points:

– Science diplomacy is crucial for addressing global challenges and building trust between nations

– There is a need to better integrate scientific evidence and expertise into policymaking and diplomatic processes

– Young scientists and researchers from underrepresented regions face challenges in participating in international scientific collaboration

– Indigenous knowledge systems should be recognized and integrated with Western scientific approaches

– Building public trust in science and combating misinformation is important for effective science diplomacy

Overall purpose/goal:

The discussion aimed to highlight the vital role of science in strengthening multilateralism and diplomacy to address urgent global challenges like climate change and sustainable development. It sought to showcase examples of successful science diplomacy and explore ways to enhance collaboration between scientists, policymakers and diplomats.

Tone:

The overall tone was optimistic and action-oriented, with speakers emphasizing the potential for science to build bridges between nations and drive positive change. However, there were also notes of urgency and concern, particularly regarding challenges like declining trust in science and barriers to international scientific cooperation. The tone became more impassioned during some of the calls to action in the closing remarks.

Speakers

Moderators/Facilitators:

– Melissa Fleming (Undersecretary General for Global Communications at the UN) – Moderated first part

– María Estelí Jarquín (Coordinator of international relations at UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology) – Moderated second part

Speakers:

– Maritza Chan (Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the UN) – Expertise in diplomacy and marine conservation

– Omar Hilale (Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the UN) – Expertise in science, technology and innovation for Africa’s development

– Peter Gluckman (President of the International Science Council) – Expert on science diplomacy

– Gihan Kamel (Principal scientist at SESAME) – Expertise in science diplomacy in the Middle East

– Tara Stoinski (President of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund) – Expertise in gorilla conservation and research

– Evelina Santa-Kahle (Women in Science Diplomacy Association) – Expertise in promoting women in science diplomacy

– Jose Julio Casas (Eastern Tropical Marine Corridor) – Expertise in marine conservation

РSandrine Dixson-Decl̬ve (Co-president of the Club of Rome) РExpertise in facilitating difficult conversations on climate and sustainability

– Dalee Sambo Dorough (Arctic indigenous peoples expert) – Expertise in indigenous rights and knowledge systems

– Mohammad Hosseini (Assistant professor at Northwestern University) – Expertise in research ethics and trust in science

– Tshilidzi Marwala (Rector of the United Nations University) – Expertise in higher education and science policy

– Emran Mian (Director General at UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) – Expertise in science policy and international collaboration

Science Diplomacy: Bridging Nations and Addressing Global Challenges

This discussion, moderated by Melissa Fleming and María Estelí Jarquín, brought together a diverse panel of experts to explore the critical role of science diplomacy in addressing global challenges and fostering international cooperation. The conversation highlighted successful case studies, identified key challenges, and proposed strategies for enhancing collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and diplomats.

Importance of Science Diplomacy

Speakers emphasized the crucial importance of science diplomacy for tackling global issues. Ambassador Maritza Chan highlighted how scientific collaboration can bridge gaps between nations, while Ambassador Omar Hilale stressed its potential to leverage scientific expertise for developing comprehensive, long-term sustainable solutions, particularly in amplifying Africa’s voice in international discussions. Sir Peter Gluckman, President of the International Science Council, underscored the urgency of utilizing scientific knowledge wisely, warning of the risks if we fail to do so.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite its importance, speakers identified several challenges facing science diplomacy. Sir Peter Gluckman noted that the era of globalization and commitment to global interdependence in science is in retreat, with new technologies challenging existing frameworks. Dr. Gihan Kamel of SESAME acknowledged that while science alone cannot solve political and economic problems, science diplomacy can play a crucial role.

The discussion highlighted the need to embed scientific expertise more deeply in diplomatic and policymaking processes. Professor Tshilidzi Marwala argued for bringing scientists into the core of political decision-making, while Dr. Emran Mian emphasized the importance of governments putting science at the heart of decision-making and funding international scientific collaboration. Dr. Mian also noted the UK’s significant investment in international science partnerships and suggested that governments sometimes need to “get out of the way” to allow natural scientific collaboration.

Diversity and Inclusion in Science Diplomacy

Several speakers stressed the importance of promoting diversity and inclusion in science diplomacy. Evelina Santa-Kahle introduced the Women in Science Diplomacy Association (WSDA), highlighting its mission to increase female representation in science and science diplomacy. Dr. Dalee Sambo Dorough emphasized the need to recognize and respect indigenous knowledge systems alongside scientific research, calling for the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in relation to science diplomacy.

Dr. Mohammad Hosseini provided a personal perspective on the challenges faced by young scientists and researchers from countries currently excluded from global scientific discourse. He highlighted issues such as visa restrictions and limited mobility, underscoring the transformative potential of science diplomacy as a source of hope for researchers from politically isolated countries.

Building Trust and Implementing Science in Policymaking

A recurring theme was the need to build public trust in science and combat misinformation. Professor Tshilidzi Marwala emphasized the importance of science literacy as a human rights issue and called for simplifying scientific language to make it more accessible to the general public. Sandrine Dixson-Declève of the Club of Rome forcefully argued for the integration of scientific evidence into policymaking, calling for accountability from governments in respecting scientific evidence.

Case Studies and Successful Initiatives

The discussion featured several case studies demonstrating the power of science diplomacy:

1. Jose Julio Casas presented the Eastern Tropical Marine Corridor, a collaborative effort between Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador to protect marine biodiversity and promote sustainable fishing practices.

2. Dr. Gihan Kamel provided insights into the SESAME particle accelerator project in the Middle East, illustrating how scientific collaboration can transcend political boundaries.

3. Dr. Tara Stoinski discussed gorilla conservation efforts in Africa, highlighting how scientific research has informed conservation strategies and fostered cooperation between countries sharing gorilla habitats.

Resolutions and Action Items

The discussion concluded with several calls to action and proposed resolutions, including:

1. Deeper investment in science, especially in inclusive ways

2. Building more local forums for collaboration between community leaders, businesses, scientists, and the public

3. Creating more public repositories of scientific research and data

4. A commitment from the United Nations University to support efforts to build trust in science and take science to the people

Professor Marwala also mentioned the UN’s International Decade of Sciences and Sustainable Development as an opportunity to further promote science diplomacy.

Unresolved Issues and Future Directions

Despite the productive discussion, several issues remained unresolved, including:

1. How to effectively integrate science into diplomatic processes and policymaking

2. Addressing restrictions on scientific collaboration due to geopolitical tensions and sanctions

3. Improving science communication and literacy among the general public

4. Balancing national interests with the need for global scientific collaboration

In conclusion, the discussion highlighted the vital role of science diplomacy in addressing global challenges and fostering international cooperation. While acknowledging significant obstacles, speakers remained optimistic about the potential for science to build bridges between nations and drive positive change. The conversation emphasized the need for more inclusive, diverse, and effective approaches to science diplomacy to navigate the complex global challenges of the 21st century.

Melissa Fleming: I can feel the buzz in the room. But I could I get your attention, please? Hello, everyone. It’s great to see the energy in this room, especially around a topic that’s linked to science. So that’s I find very exciting because we do have excellencies in the room. That means diplomats. We have scientists, we have scholars, and we also have young people. And I’d like to give a special welcome to the young people who are with us today. So welcome to this Summit of the Future Action Day side event, Building Bridges Through Science Diplomacy, Accelerating Progress Towards Sustainable Development. And I’m really pleased to convene this group of member states, representatives of the scientific and academic communities and other stakeholders for this important discussion. And we’re here to showcase the vital role of science in strengthening multilateralism to respond to the urgent global challenges that our world is facing. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Melissa Fleming, and I am the Undersecretary General for Global Communications here at the United Nations. And I’m really honored to be moderating the first part of this event. A quick procedural note before we begin. This event is paper smart, so you can access the program through the QR code provided. QR codes also to full biographies of the speakers will appear on the title slides displayed before each speaker speaks. I’d like to thank the co-organizing partners of today’s event, the International Science Council, the German Center for Research and Innovation of New York, the United Nations Academic Impact, the IMPACT Coalition, Science and Policy Solutions for the Planet, as well as the Permanent Missions of Costa Rica and South Africa to the UN. Special thanks also to our esteemed speakers whose insights and leadership will guide our discussions today. Your contributions are invaluable as we work together to strengthen the relationship between science and diplomacy and to build a more sustainable and just future for all. Dear friends, we meet in turbulent times. Science diplomacy has arguably never been more needed, and probably it’s a term that not many people know, and that we need to popularize because we need policymakers to be informed as they navigate complex and interlocking global crises and as they endeavor to make the world a more sustainable, peaceful, and equitable place. So the department that I lead, the Department of Global Communications, has had a long and fruitful collaboration with the scientific community to bring robust science to global audiences, and we’re trying to do that using cutting-edge strategic communications as well as insights from behavioral science as well. This has been the backbone of some of our key campaigns. This has included sharing life-saving public health guidance during the pandemic, boosting vaccine confidence, and making the scientific case for an urgent transition away from fossil fuels. This, I have to say, has become an increasing challenge in the digital age, in the age of social media, where lies seem to surface and travel much faster than facts. So we have a communications challenge, and I know, speaking to many scientists, that they feel that they need a lot of help in how to communicate and navigate in this information age. So our speakers will explore these and many other forms that science diplomacy takes today, from peace building to harnessing the potential for AI for all of humanity. And they will share insights on how science diplomacy can help drive sustainable development, not just for those of us alive today, but as the theme is very much at this summit of the future and these action days for future generations. And we hope that this side event is the start of a big galvanization of support for deeper science policy engagement. It is my pleasure now to welcome our first speaker, Her Excellency Ambassador Maritza Chan, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the UN. Costa Rica has been a champion in science diplomacy for decades. An example of this has been leading the creation of the Eastern Tropical Marine Corridor, a regional initiative led by the governments of Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Panama. And this initiative seeks the conservation of biological diversity and sustainable use of marine resources. Ambassador Chan has been recognized by the United Nations Regional Center for Peace, Disarmament, and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean as one of the leading agents for change, advocating for arms control, disarmament, and nonproliferation in 2014 and again in 2021. Excellency, the floor is yours.

Maritza Chan: Thank you very much, Melissa. It’s so invigorating to see so many faces today. Thank you for being here. Costa Rica is thrilled to be part of the organizers. Today is a day of celebration. The summit of the future action days just kicked off, and this afternoon we have enjoyed the voice of youth in the multilateral system. And what better message could we send to the younger generation than the importance of building bridges through science? This is precisely the goal of this side event, to highlight science as a vital tool for fostering peace, collaboration, and diplomacy. Since I started my journey as a diplomat, I have believed that evidence, scientific evidence must inform diplomatic decisions. Please allow me to provide two examples where science has been essential to enhance multilateral action. In December 2020, Costa Rica and Ecuador submitted the first joint partial presentation to the UN Secretary General seeking to extend the limits of our continental shelves in the Pacific Ocean. According to Article 76 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, countries that provide field data demonstrating scientific geomorphical conditions on the ocean floor can secure exclusive rights to explore, exploit, and conserve areas of the seabed and subsoil beyond their existing 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zones. Costa Rica and Ecuador met these conditions in the Martan region between Scocos Island in Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. This achievement marks the culmination of a decade-long negotiation process, which relied heavily on scientific experience that supported the diplomatic efforts of both countries. Geologists, volcanologists, and biologists came together with diplomats to advance one of the most inspiring science diplomacy examples in Latin America. And today we celebrate this success as a milestone in the establishment, as you mentioned Melissa, of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor, one of the world’s largest marine conservation areas. This case study will be explored in greater detail in this event. The second example is around space technology. The UN Office for Outer Space Affairs has demonstrated how space technology supports the achievement of the SDGs, which are essential for maintaining peace and international security. There’s no development without peace and no peace without human rights. Similarly, states have discussed in various UN forums how technologies like Earth observation satellites can improve the verification and monitoring of international peace and security treaties. This capacity fosters trust in an area that would need it the most and can provide crucial data to inform even security council deliberations. Although many outer space systems, such as those designed for debris removal or on orbit servicing, were initially created for benign purposes, then often have dual use capabilities like robotic arms that could be repurposed to harm other space objects. By leveraging the expertise of those who develop and operate these technologies, we can better address concrete threats and enhance space security. This, in turn, helps in crafting effective legal and policy measures to ensure the safety and security of space activities. As we have seen in these two examples, we can agree that scientists and diplomats, scientists need diplomats and diplomats need scientists. to build to accelerate progress towards sustainable development. And my last point relates to the intricate link between peacekeeping and evidence-based policymaking. Allow me to share a critical message as the President of the 4th UN Review Conference on Small Arms and Light Weapons that ended in June and as the current Chair of the 1st Committee that is related to disarmament and international security. One critical area where peacekeeping capabilities need significant strengthening via significant increase of evidence and information is weapons, technical, intelligence, and police contingents. Documenting the proliferation of arms, ammunitions, and explosions is essential for UN peacekeeping civilian protection mandates. However, these activities often suffer from insufficient resources and lack systemic operationalization, partly due to limited technical intelligence capacity in peacekeeping. Enhancing these capacities would improve the mission’s ability to provide actionable intelligence to national authorities for legal accountability in crimes involving illicit weapons, support counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations, and monitor UN security arms embargoes. Hence, evidence-based policymaking ensures that our responses are founded in reality and driven by the best available data. In closing, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the organizers for the hard work and dedication in making this event possible. Your efforts have created a platform for minimal dialogue and collaboration. And let me finish calling you to ensure that developing economies and underrepresented regions are also included in this undertaking, so they will not or we will not be left behind. I wish you a very successful and action-oriented Action Days. The summit of the future is already here, and we just need to agree on the pact.

Melissa Fleming: Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you, Ambassador Marisa Chan. examples that demonstrate how scientific evidence can inform diplomatic decisions and also how they need each other, right? So excellent examples in marine conservation, space technology, and in security. Now it is my pleasure to introduce His Excellency Ambassador Omar Hilal, permanent representative of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations. Ambassador Hilal has recently taken over as chair of the Coalition on Science, Technology, and Innovation, or STI, for Africa’s development. This coalition has a significant initiative for science diplomacy that we’re going to hear about, I think. So Excellency, you have the floor.

Omar Hilale: Thank you very much, dear Melissa. Your preliminary remarks inspired me some ideas. It’s that science is the field of evidence and concrete actions. Diplomacy is the art to make the impossible possible. And as Eliza just said, we need scientists as they need diplomacy. And when they gather all together, they are able to reach the best results, to help the world, to heal the wounds of our planet, and also to contribute to the implementation of SDGs. So together we can do a lot, and I’m very happy to be part of this meeting today. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues, and honored guests, it is an honor for me to welcome you all to today’s discussion on the theme Building Bridges Through Science, Diplomacy, Accelerating Progress Towards Sustainable Development. As we navigate the complexities of our interconnected world, the intersection of science and diplomacy offers us a unique opportunity to address global challenges collaboratively. As we embark into this crucial topic, particularly in the context of the Summit of the Future and the Pact of the Future, the discussion around the role of science, diplomacy, and in advancing sustainable development becomes increasingly vital. Science, diplomacy allows us to bridge gaps between nations, facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing that are essential for addressing global challenges. Working toward the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, it is crucial to recognize that effective science, diplomacy can enhance our collective ability to implement policies that are informed by research and evidence. Through collaborative efforts, we can ensure that the benefits of scientific advancements are shared equitably, and that all voices are heard in the decision-making process. In an era marked by pressing issues such as climate change, resource scarcity, and public health crisis, science, diplomacy offers framework for leveraging scientific expertise and innovation. By fostering partnerships across borders, we can develop comprehensive strategies that not only tackle immediate problems, but also lay the groundwork for long-term sustainable solutions. In my capacity as the incoming chair of the Coalition on Science, Technology, and Innovation for Africa, I would emphasize that Africa stands at a pivotal moment, rich in potential and brimming with talents, yet we also face significant challenges that require innovative solutions and collaborative approaches. Science diplomacy offers us a unique pathway to address these issues by fostering partnerships that transcend borders and disciplines. Africa’s commitment to regional and international cooperation enhances its potential in science diplomacy. By aligning with global initiatives such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Africa can showcase its dedication to addressing critical issues while amplifying its voice in international discussions. In this transformative era, Africa’s involvement in science diplomacy is not just an opportunity, it is a necessity. By fostering collaboration, promoting inclusivity, and championing innovative solutions, Africa can lead the way toward a more sustainable and equitable future for all. Colleagues are not just conscious of the huge potential of the science diplomacy, Morocco’s vision adopted an innovative approach to science diplomacy, emphasizing on collaboration, sustainability, and capacity building, positioning the country as a key player in addressing regional and global challenges. As such, Morocco concluded partnerships focused on research and technology to exemplify the role of science initiatives in renewable energy and water management initiatives for sustainable agriculture. Our collaborations are extended projects with institutions focused on sustainable agriculture practices. These partnerships aim to improve food security and resilience against climate change, showcasing the benefits of science diplomacy in agriculture. Together with the International Science Council, regional initiatives are launched to facilitate knowledge sharing and training for Moroccan scientists, enhancing their capacity to address local sustainability challenges. These examples, among others, illustrate how science diplomacy not only fosters international collaboration, but also directly contributes to the national sustainable development goals by leveraging scientific knowledge. knowledge and technology. I would like to reiterate my thanks for joining us today. Let us engage in this discussion with an open mind and commitment to harnessing the power of science diplomacy as a tool for sustainable development. Together we can build a resilient and prosperous future for all. I thank you very much.

Melissa Fleming: Thank you Omar, His Excellency Omar Hilale, and also for talking about how science and diplomacy can make the impossible possible in your words and that can heal wounds of our planet and bridge gaps between nations through policies informed by evidence and through that to lay the groundwork for sustainable solutions. So that was a very inspiring words. Thank you very much and it’s now my great pleasure to welcome our esteemed keynote speaker, the President of the International Science Council, Sir Peter Gluckman. Sir Gluckman is a leading expert on science diplomacy. His rich experience includes serving as the first Chief Scientific Advisor to the Prime Ministers of New Zealand and serving as Foundation Chair of the International Network of Government Science Advice. I’m delighted to give him the floor to deliver today’s keynote address.

Peter Gluckman: Thank you very much and thank you to the two co-chairs for inspiring words to start this session off. In the decades during and after the Cold War, science diplomacy was an important component of the foreign policy toolkit of major countries, a part of international efforts to respond to both global challenges and reduce global tensions. The Antarctic Treaty, IASA, the Montreal Protocol and the IPCC are all examples of the success of science diplomacy in that era. While often encapsulated within international science cooperation, science diplomacy is something more. It’s about achieving diplomatic goals, both domestic and global, through science-assisting diplomacy. However, the rationale and the conditions under which science diplomacy blossomed 20 years ago are changing and fragmenting as the linkage between science and technology, geostrategic and economic interests grow. In this paradoxical and changing context, science diplomacy also must evolve. The era of globalization and with it the commitment to global interdependence and cooperation on global science issues is in some, sadly, in retreat. It’s offered the space in which science diplomacy can operate. The drive to open science is being replaced in political declarations from many countries with the mantra as open as possible, as closed as necessary and greater restrictions on scientific interchange between the political poles are emerging. Yet the world faces common and global challenges which science and technology must address. The paradox is obvious. We need actions that could help navigate the inherent conflict. conflict between the real politic of geostrategic tensions and the globalism that many in the global science community and most of the citizens of this world want to see happen. We’re challenged by the new technologies that do not respect national boundaries, rapidly emerging advances in AI, in synthetic biology, quantum, in the use of the ocean bed, in inner and outer space, in extraterrestrial resources, are all examples which are challenging us. Adding to the complexity is that much emergent technology is driven by companies that largely avoid both national and transnational regulation and even challenge the role of nation states. As the conditions that gave value to science diplomacy change, its practice must change. And although at times science diplomacy has seemed very academic, as our two chairs have already said, it is the key linkage between the very different worlds of diplomacy and science that are essential for all our futures. In this confused and conflicted space, we must consider the potential roles of different actors. Formal diplomatic processes must be informed by science, and the international science community has a key role to now play in advancing track two efforts, which, given the context, may take on greater importance if the multilateral situation does not improve. The International Science Council is unique in its membership, including the World Scientific Academies and international science organizations from the global north, the global south, the global east, the global west, and across both the natural and social sciences, across large countries, across small island developing states. Increasingly it’s both seen the need to, and is now being requested, to take a greater role in track two diplomacy. Today we’re in an era where domestic science, economic, and national security policies can conflict with broader objectives relating to the global commons. Diplomats will need to take a much more multi-stakeholder approach, including governments, business, academia. The global community must give greater support to the international science community, allowing it to be an integral partner in these discussions, than rather simply, as is too often, a tokenistic afterthought. Real politics demands that first and foremost, science diplomacy will serve a nation’s interest. Science diplomacy can do so in domains such as security, trade, environmental management, and technology access, but it must also be recognized by every government that it’s in every nation’s interest to advance the global commons. And here, science diplomacy has a critical domestic role to ensure that every nation understands that it is in their interests, their interests are best served by acting collaboratively. Track two, science diplomacy, can be a valued partner to a somewhat stuttering multilateral system. Too few countries have embedded science diplomacy within their diplomatic toolkit. Only with science advisors and foreign ministries connected to domestic science communities can the two-way interchange between track two and track one approaches become more effective. The world has slipped sadly on its commitment to sustainable development goals, and I hope that this summit really does achieve what it must, which is to rebuke the global commitment to these goals. The science community must and will play its role in ensuring progress is in fact made. I’m famous for talking bluntly, and last year at the high-level political forum, I ended my keynote address then with the words which I’ll use again now. Unless we use science wisely and urgently, we are all at risk. Thank you very much.

Melissa Fleming: Thank you very much, Sir Peter Gluckman, on your powerful insights and also outlining the complexities of today’s world and all of the challenges and the critical role that the science community will play to advance what you call the global commons and that it’s in every nation’s interest. I really appreciate that. I’d like to now pass the floor to Ms. Maria Esteli-Jarquin. who coordinates the international relations of the U.K. Center for Ecology and Hydrology. In parallel, Ms. Jarquin is a special advisor to the International Science Council and member of their standing committee of outreach and engagement. And I am pleased that she will now moderate the remainder of today’s program. So Ms. Jarquin, the floor is yours.

María Estelí Jarquín: Thank you so much, USG Melissa Fleming. When this event was selected to take place on Action Day number one, dedicated to youth, we felt it was a natural decision. As a young person myself, I like to think of young people full of hope for the future, driven by curiosity and imagination for the unknown, elements that are also present in science, hope and curiosity, two engines that move humanity forward. Now why it is so important to discuss about science in the United Nations? We are in one of the world’s greatest epicenters of diplomacy, and diplomacy has been many times inspired by science, always in constant evolution as a collective effort, always striving to help us work towards a concert of nations. As a Latin American young person, it is my absolute honor to now serve as your moderator for the next part. For the last five years working in science diplomacy, I have been deeply inspired by the great stories that have brought science and diplomacy together to advance sustainable development. So let’s discover four case studies where science has strengthened multilateralism. For our first case study, we will travel to the Middle East to hear about the region’s first major international center of excellence. Dr. Gihan Kamel, principal scientist, will tell us the story of Sesame. All eyes on the screen, please.

Gihan Kamel: To all of you and thank you who are building bridges rather than walls. I would like to thank the organizers for the kind invitation to present Sesame as a case of science, diplomacy and the Middle East, a region that is distant to instabilities, to blood and tears, to conflicts and wars. Sesame is the first and only facility of its kind in the Middle East and neighboring regions, a particle accelerator that produces a unique type of radiation which allows researchers over a huge range of domains to investigate matter, similar to many large-scale infrastructures known as synchrotron light sources all over the world, not only providing cutting-edge technologies but also cutting-edge relationships. Modeled on CERN and established as an intergovernmental organization under the umbrella of the UNESCO, the only factor that governs Sesame is science and this is the simple one-line story about Sesame, a facility existing in the heart of the Middle East owned by eight members, Jordan where it’s hosted, Egypt, Palestine, Israel, Iran, Turkey, Cyprus and Pakistan, clear enough why Sesame is addressed as a successful model on science diplomacy. We go beyond experiments inside labs being directed towards the sustainable development goals. Our motto is not only science for peace but also for society. Together with a close follow-up of the international Science Council Collective Projection of Science Missions for Sustainability. Collaboration is not a stranger in the business of science. Totally coherent, fair and an obvious strategy to get fruitful results. But sometimes it’s not enough. Because what if what we need is more than budget? What if what we need is peace? A lesson learned from CERN was that successful bridge building through scientific collaboration can work with two conjugated and complementary pillars, excellent science and reliable diplomacy. With this in mind, Sesame was established thanks to the huge, extensive and continuous international support. Without it, Sesame wouldn’t exist. It was integrated in 2017 and in 2019, it became the world’s first large accelerator, fully powered by renewable energy. It allows for brain drain reversal. And it opens a door to women scientists in the region and beyond. A key factor in our success is that we leave all the differences outside the fence. We only take our expertise and time. We only take our expertise and knowledge. We take patience, dedication, persistence, despite the so many challenges that we face on a daily basis, above all the geopolitical and the financial instabilities. Can science save us? Can science save Sesame? Can Sesame save the Middle East? No. The only fact that we know is that science alone cannot solve the many political security and economic problems that we are facing. But we know very well that science diplomacy can. It has an important role to play in addressing health, environment, energy and food challenges that contribute to our regional instability. Thank you so much.

María Estelí Jarquín: Africa, where we will learn about conservation efforts to protect mountain gorillas via extensive research and development. Thank you. extensive scientific research, education, and community outreach. Let’s hear this story from Dr. Tara Stoinski, president of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

Tara Stoinski: Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak with you today on our work in conservation and the key role that science plays in this work. I’m Dr. Tara Stoinski, CEO and chief scientific officer of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. The Fossey Fund is the world’s longest running and largest organization dedicated to the study and conservation of gorillas, and we have been on the literal front lines of gorilla conservation for almost 60 years. Our work in both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo focuses on four key pillars, providing daily boots on the ground protection to gorillas and their critical ecosystems, conducting the science needed to develop effective conservation strategies, training the conservation and scientific leaders of today and tomorrow, and building resiliency in the human populations who share the gorilla’s habitat to improve their lives and lessen their dependence on forest resources. These activities touch on at least nine of the 17 UN sustainable development goals, including conserving life on land, climate action, gender equity, reduced inequalities, zero hunger, quality education, and no poverty. They have also played a critical role in bringing mountain gorillas back from the brink of extinction. In fact, mountain gorillas are the only great ape on the planet besides us that are increasing in number, an all too rare conservation success story. While the scientific work that we do focuses on advancing our understanding of gorillas and their forest habitats, its impact extends much beyond that. It is the building block for training the next generation of scientific and conservation leaders and creating the communities of multinational and multidisciplinary researchers that are desperately needed to solve the environmental crises facing our planet. Biodiversity loss and climate change, the two largest of these crises, do not recognize national boundaries and the science to solve them must not either. Working together ensures different perspectives and experiences are represented in the effort to find solutions at the national, regional, and international level. And we at the FOSSE fund see this in practice every day. In the last five years, we have collaborated with 400 scientists from around the world on more than 75 publications. These collaborations have expanded the impact of our science much beyond what we would be able to do alone. At our Ellen DeGeneres campus, a state-of-the-art research and education center in Rwanda that opened in 2022, we focus on bringing together early career scientists from across Africa to receive training, conduct science, and build multinational professional networks. These collaborations have produced papers at a continent-wide scale, for example, examining how climate change is affecting great ape habitat across Africa. This type of research is crucial to demonstrating the need for collective action across nations and creating solutions at scale. We need to be doing more to facilitate these types of collaborations and to ensure that the work is led by range country scientists and centered in the range countries where the studies are done. Thank you again for the opportunity to speak today. And if you would like to learn more about our work, please visit us at guerrillafund.org.

María Estelí Jarquín: Our third case study is an initiative that started in Washington and aims to make a global impact. The Women in Science Diplomacy Association. We are honored to have Ms. Evelina Santa-Kahle here with us today. Go ahead.

Evelina Santa-Kahle: Thank you very much and thank you for the opportunity to speak here today and introduce to you the Women in Science Diplomacy Association, or in short WSDA as we call it. WSDA was founded out of a necessity, actually out of the necessity for representation, claiming our voice, claiming also our place in the area of science diplomacy was the driving force behind founding WSDA. Because we thought it’s not possible that in an area that is so important for the future, namely science and science diplomacy, that this area is so heavily underrepresented by female and gender minorities. So let me also start with a small story, a very personal story. When I arrived in D.C., I just saw that we have a very little, like a very low number of female working in the diplomatic community in D.C. And I was lucky enough to meet some colleagues who felt the same. My French and Italian colleague in D.C., we joined forces and we said we need to do something against that. So we founded WSDA and developed a joint vision, a mission and a vision for WSDA to be clear in what we want to achieve and what we want to deliver. Can I have my next slide, please? So our aim is to, our mission actually is to strengthen diversity and promote female representation in science and science diplomacy, to address the gender gap and bias throughout all levels of S&T policy and policymaking areas. WSDA aims to be the global platform to spark, to connect, to mentor, support and sponsor more women science diplomats and policy makers. Our vision is really to connect women in science diplomacy globally to advance the gender gap. and ensure science and science diplomacy is for all. Next slide, please. So how do we want to achieve that? We are currently like a network of more than 60 members based in DC, and our action items are currently to promote related gender equality and diversity in science diplomacy, to speak up and get involved where it’s possible, to promote the representation of female and diverse researchers and science diplomats. And how do we do that? We organize regular meetings. We organize every year in the framework of the UN Girls and Women in Science a whole week of events to represent and to showcase the contribution of female and gender diverse minorities to science and science policy. We intend to strengthen the networking among female and diverse science diplomats. We intend to build a supportive community to share best practices, resources, and knowledge. So what we do here concretely is to really provide training for the onboarding of new science diplomats, and we really want to extend our network also to science diplomats from other countries, especially from the global south, for those also countries that do not have a science diplomat but need that expertise and advice and networking. That’s what we are here for in Washington, DC. And we also train the next generation of science diplomats. Science diplomacy is still an area that is growing that is not well known as a career opportunity. So what we do, we go to universities. We talk to students there and introduce them to that career opportunity, actually. Next slide. So how do we get there? And that’s where you all come into play. We build on partnership, on volunteerism, and community building. And that’s where I call all of you and ask you to join our network, to join forces here, and to contribute and take actions together. Thank you very much.

María Estelí Jarquín: Thank you. Thank you so much and we will now travel to the heart of the Americas. Four countries working together using scientific evidence to build one of the most important marine corridors of the planet. Let’s hear the story of the Eastern Tropical Marine Corridor in the voice of Mr. Jose Julio Casas, who kindly recorded this video to us from the Galapagos Island.

Jose Julio Casas: The Eastern Tropical Marine Corridor is a special region in the Pacific, known as SEMAR. The Eastern Tropical Marine Corridor is a special region in the Pacific, known as SEMAR. The Eastern Tropical Marine Corridor is a special region in the Pacific, known as SEMAR. The Eastern Tropical Marine Corridor is a special region in the Pacific, known as SEMAR. The Eastern Tropical Marine Corridor is a special region in the Pacific, known as SEMAR. In addition, it acts as an essential corridor for the migration of many species, allowing them to travel long distances in search of food, reproduction and refuge. However, this invaluable ecosystem faces serious threats. Illegal fishing, pollution, climate change and uncontrolled exploitation. Protecting the Sea does not only mean preserving its biodiversity, but also ensuring the livelihood of millions of people who depend on fishing and tourism in the region. This is why the Sea collaborates closely with scientists and academic institutions, non-governmental organizations and public and private donors. This strengthens cooperative governance, facilitates the design and implementation of marine protection strategies and ensures long-term sustainable financing. All this work together, between civil society, between government entities and between different partners, has ensured that the Corridor, in these 20 years, has grown, has increased and is taking big steps towards the future, generating protection at the regional level. The Sea is a natural gem that we must protect for future generations. By working together, we can ensure that these ecosystems maintain a rich marine biodiversity for the benefit of all, from the local communities that depend on them for their livelihood to the whole world that benefits from their environmental and scientific value. Working with the Academy allows the generation of new knowledge that provides information with a scientific basis for decision-making at the governmental level. Our responsibility is to act today to ensure a sustainable future where marine life flourishes and the beauty of these oceans lasts for future generations.

María Estelí Jarquín: We have just heard inspiring action-oriented stories shaped by years of resilience, hard work and vision at the intersection of science and diplomacy. Now let’s turn our focus to discussing current challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of the future. We have brought together an outstanding group of panelists to lead this discussion. I will first introduce each of them and explore their work and perspectives on science diplomacy. I will start with Ms. Sandrine Dixson-Declève who is co-president of the Club of Rome and the executive chair of Earth for All. Sandrine brings extensive experience chairing European Commission’s expert groups on research and innovation and climate change amongst others. I’ll ask our esteemed panelists if they could merge and turn into a statement their prepared questions. So Sandrine, what does science diplomacy mean to you? We are navigating a multipolar world often marked by conflicting positions and I was struck by what I read in your bio. You dedicate part of your time to facilitating difficult conversations, an invaluable skill in today’s landscape. So my question to you is, how can science diplomacy be leveraged as a tool to facilitate challenging dialogues, build bridges between nations or groups with conflicting interests and use science as a driving force for diplomacy?

Sandrine Dixson-Declève: Thank you so much, Maria. It’s such a pleasure to be here amongst all of you. Maybe let me bring in 35 years of trying to build bridges and facilitate these difficult conversations, starting off with actually working with the Global Legislators Organization for a Balanced Environment, which was one of the first organizations anchored in science diplomacy. Already 35 years ago, trying to bring members of the U.S. Congress across both sides of the political spectrum and across Europe, Japan, at that time the Soviet Union, and also other. countries to do pre-discussions around scientific evidence in the area of the environment in order to foster diplomatic negotiations. This was a time when science was actually respected, as was so prominently said by Sir Peter Gluckman. And I think it’s very important that we take into consideration that we are absolutely in a very different world. Those 35 years of experience were actually science and evidence decision making was part of the way in which we put in place our environmental policy making, as well as our social policy making. But today, I want to come with a plea, a really deep plea and a humility and reality check. The science element is weak already in our declaration and in our pact for the future. And yet here we are talking about its importance. We are in a planetary emergency, which has already been declared by the Secretary General himself. We do not have one anchored planetary emergency plan based on the scientific evidence that shows we’re in an emergency in any country across the globe. Updated science is rarely brought into negotiations. None of our COP negotiations are anchored in updated science. They are updated in past scientific evidence. Policy negotiators are rarely taken, taking scientists with them when in bilateral or multilateral negotiations. Those very important days that were referred to again by Sir Peter Gluckman no longer exist. Scientists also often, to be fair, do not have the time to join necessary meetings or delegations as they are time bound and funding bound to deliver their own scientific results. This is the reality check. So what can we do about it? First of all, we need to bring evidence and. back into the fold of all policymaking and we all as a community need to call for it. We need to hold our governments accountable for not actually respecting the scientific evidence that we have before us. I’ve been called in so many ways an activist and yet I have worked for the oil and gas companies, I have worked for policymakers, I’ve worked for presidents and kings and yet now I’m an activist. I’m an activist because I’m a realist, because I understand that for the last 35 years we were able to use science and evidence in making very important decision-making and yet today we are no longer doing so. Now the problem is exactly as the undersecretary indicated, the fact that we have social media, that we have different narratives and story building which are taking a precedence over scientific decision-making. So together we need to actually be much more forceful in our call and our drive for science but we have to also build the capacity for scientific decision-making to happen in multilateral negotiations and also bilateral negotiations and lastly we need to ensure that our educational system, our universities are actually fostering better science diplomacy and undertaking that looks at the complexity of the world that we have before us. So I will end with that in the hope that actually we will all mutually work together to ensure that science is anchored back in to the way in which we solve our planetary emergency, in the way in which we have done in our work at the Club of Rome and through Earth for All by looking at system dynamic modeling, social and environmental tipping points and solutions for both. Thank you.

María Estelí Jarquín: Thank you for your statement, and I will now turn to Dr. Dalee Sambo Dorough, who has been instrumental in advancing the UN declarations on the right of indigenous peoples, reflecting her commitment to justice and indigenous empowerment. She currently holds the Arctic region seat on the UN expert mechanism on the right of indigenous peoples and is currently a senior scholar and a special advisor on Arctic indigenous peoples at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Dali, we saw key lessons from the Science Policy Society interfacing the case studies, and I would like to ask your thoughts on how science diplomacy can close the action knowledge gaps. In your experience, how can science diplomacy be used to bridge the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous knowledge systems, and how important is mutual recognition in this context? Thank you very much.

Dalee Sambo Dorough: First of all, allow me to say that my people span a long, linear region of the world, from the Russian Far East throughout Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. In relation to the questions that were set to me in terms of what has shaped my contributions, I want to harken back to June of 1977, the late Eben Hopson, who’s recognized as the founder of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, an indigenous peoples organization. He stated, our language contains the memory of 4,000 years of human survival through the conservation and good managing of our Arctic wealth. Our language contains the intricate knowledge of the ice that we have seen no others demonstrate. Without our central involvement, there can be no safe and responsible Arctic resource development. For decades, Inuit have dealt with multifaceted, interconnected problems that transcend national boundaries. Our contributions feature our own diplomacy. Inuit were the first to prepare a comprehensive Arctic policy. The preamble affirms that we are committed to contributing our knowledge for the betterment of humanity, the common security of all peoples and states, and world peace. The document addresses environmental issues, renewable resource management, scientific research within our communities, and decision making, among many other issues. We have highlighted that Inuit are an integral part of Arctic ecosystems. For centuries, our hunting, fishing, and harvesting activities have been and continue to be in harmony with and an important part of the dynamic processes of Arctic ecosystems. Therefore, the profound relationship between Inuit and other living species of the natural world must be fully recognized in any strategies pertaining to our Arctic homelands. We have also affirmed that indigenous knowledge and scientific research are both valid systems of knowledge that should be recognized within the context of cooperative research. In this way, scientists and, importantly, decision makers will have the best available information on which to base their actions. We believe that through the recognition of and respect for indigenous knowledge, we can make further extraordinary contributions to science diplomacy. In relation to bridging the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous knowledge systems, mutual respect and mutual recognition are paramount. Presently, the major gap is lack of implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The UN Declaration Preamble, adopted by the General Assembly and a whole not far from here, affirms that recognizing that respect for Indigenous knowledge, cultures, and traditional practices contributes to sustainable and equitable development and proper management of the environment. The Declaration explicitly recognizes the right of Indigenous peoples to self-determination, the prerequisite for the exercise and enjoyment of all other human rights. The UN Declaration also affirms our right to maintain, control, protect, and develop Indigenous knowledge. Though there is a corresponding obligation of UN member states to implement this right, there appears to be little political will to do so. To generate understanding, Inuit, myself, we’ve developed our own definition of Indigenous knowledge. We have also used Inuit diplomacy within the Arctic Council, the UNFCCC, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and many other venues of diplomacy and politics. We seek to advance ethical and equitable co-production of knowledge, which requires creative and culturally appropriate methodologies that use both Indigenous knowledge and science applied across all processes of knowledge creation. In our view, the substantive and procedural elements of this right must be recognized and respected. Equity, trust, being deliberate and intentional, building relationships, reciprocity, communication, and many other elements are necessary to ensure that one knowledge system is not privileged over another. Both must be valued and recognized as equally important. I believe that if our objectives are heeded, and the objectives of Indigenous peoples across the globe, if they are heeded, scientists, diplomats, and policymakers will actually gain the best available knowledge on which to inform their decisions. A byproduct, they will also contribute to the implementation of our fundamental human rights as distinct peoples, as Indigenous peoples. And to the moderator and also to the co-organizers of this important event, I hope the message lands somewhere.

María Estelí Jarquín: Thank you, Dalee. And finally, I would like to introduce you to Dr. Mohammad Hosseini, who is an assistant professor of ethics in the Department of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University, where he collaborates with various institutes around research projects related to technology ethics and AI. He currently leads the Trust in Science workgroup at the Global Young Academy. And Mohamed, as a young researcher based in the U.S. and a member of the Uganian scientific diaspora, I’d like to hear your insights on the lessons you have learned throughout your scientific career, especially through your involvement in global networks such as the Young Academy. So my question to you is, what challenges do young scientists face when engaging in science diplomacy? And how can this challenge be addressed by multilateral institutions and governments?

Mohammad Hosseini: Well, thank you so much. As a young researcher who was born in Iran and is now in the U.S., I can tell you that science diplomacy means one thing to me and people like me, and that is hope. Hope that we can be better than our politicians, and we can do better, and we can inspire them. And it is my hope that I can work together with researchers around the globe, and it is also my hope and ambition that I can help improve our DEI policies to also include researchers who are based in countries that are currently excluded from the global scene. Think of people who are based in places like Cuba, DRC, Palestine, North Korea, Russia. There’s many examples. Do you think these countries don’t have researchers? Boy, I’ve got news for you. They do. They have researchers, but we are unable to connect with them. And you might be thinking, well, look at this young person, so full of hopes and dreams. I can tell you, in research, we dream all the time. When we start thinking about a project, when you conceptualize, we first dream about it. We conceptualize. We dream. And I’m here to also encourage you all to dream. You might be thinking, well, doing science with North Korea, how about dual use? How about national interests? Well, I get that, and I agree with you. But I think we can start with areas that do not threaten our national security. We can start with water and crop management. We can start with humanity, social science. We can think about those areas to collaborate with them, to get them out of the silos where they are put into because of their politicians and because of our politicians. One challenge we face is mobility. As a member of the Global Young Academy, I can tell you, this year, we had our AGM a little bit further in DC. Believe it or not, 15% of people who registered could not join the meeting because of visa issues, including our co-chair. We have other challenges that might be hailed by politicians as a victory, international and unilateral sanctions. In my case, it kind of makes me sad to say this, but the sanctions have made it impossible to work with anyone in Iran. And I’m not talking about working on a nuclear physics project, no. I’m talking about a project about, and I’m not joking, ethics in library sciences. You know why? Because the sanctions have not excluded scientific collaborations and communications. And consider any kind of collaboration above undergraduate level as an instance of import or export of services, and therefore subject to sanctions. I think this is ludicrous. And I think as a community of researchers who dream all the time, we can dream of a better world. And on that, I hope that I can encourage all of you to be dreamers, to be like researchers who can dream big, and connect the world through building bridges. Thank you.

María Estelí Jarquín: Thank you, Mohammad. And before we move on to the closing remarks, I want to acknowledge our great panelists for collaborating with such precise statements, and also to the incredible team that worked tirelessly for months to bring us all together today. Now it is my privilege to hand over to Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University, and Dr. Emran Mian, Director General, Digital Technologies and Telecoms of the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, for their closing remarks. Rector, you have the floor.

Tshilidzi Marwala: Thank you, thank you very much, distinguished colleagues. And thanks to the International Science Council for hosting this event on one of the most important questions facing us today. How science can help us meet global priorities like sustainable development, climate change, and the AI revolution. We have had examples of countries coming together around science, like Costa Rica and Ecuador, around marine areas, and groups of countries agreeing on Earth observation satellites. And I think the message is clear. Science can help to build trust amongst countries, helping to form the basis for greater collaboration. And this obviously has a direct bearing on the reduction of confrontation. We also had a strong message from the Moroccan PR. We need a deeper investment in science. And this has to be inclusive. Because many of the problems that we actually face are actually common. We are not going to deal with issues of climate change unless we allow data to flow. We are not going to deal with issues. of climate change if we do not allow scientists to move from one place to another. If we restrict scientists from actually sharing data, of sharing models, and actually of coming together. We also heard from Peter, that the science community needs to be an integral partner to diplomatic processes. The scientists are too excluded from the political power metrics. I think we need to bring them to the core. The biggest force for whether it is social, political, and economic transformation is actually science. Why do we not hear the voices of scientists in our politics? And of course, this obviously makes our movement forward actually restricted. We had case studies from places like the Middle East and the Democratic Republic of Congo in my own continent on how science and policy makers can partner to address complex problems like resource sharing, like environmental protection, like the advancement of SDGs. These examples show that science can form the foundation for stronger and more effective policy making. Policy needs to be adaptive. One of the most important dinners that I had in Tokyo was with Sir Peter, where he was talking about the concept of adaptive policy making. When we talk about adaptive policy making, we are talking about policy making in a very simple way. When we talk about adaptive policy making, we are talking about policy making in a very we think of the old work of Darwin. The idea of adapting whatever we do, especially if we are operating in an environment that is changing much, much more rapidly than we can actually be able to respond is absolutely essential. So we need new tools of analysis. We need to talk more with leaders of higher education institutions because these are the people who are responsible for creating an atmosphere for the next generation of thinkers. Today, earlier on, we were talking about even going to the school levels so that we can be able to respond, we can build systems that are robust and so on and so forth. I think for us to make progress, we really need to bring more trust in science. And I think on the question of how to build trust in science because around the world we see science being under attack. Why is science under attack? I think it’s because science now is entangled with vested interests. The funding, the private funding of science has been good but the problem is that the private players actually have another motive. Some of it is profit maximization. And because of that, this has undermined science. And the real contributions, real discussions around how to deal with issues of climate change are actually being undermined because the founders of science, especially the private sectors, are some of the biggest culprits. And of course, this we need to change. Of course, the issue of policy makers policy makers using scientific science to make decisions is very important. For me, the value chain of using science to make policy is the issue of data. How do we use data? How do we use logic with all its imperfection? Because it is not perfect in order to deal with issues of science. Earlier on, we heard about the role of uncertainty because science is fundamentally uncertain. There is no theory that is around that is certain. It’s as certain as the best information we have and it can change in time. And of course, because that whole concept of uncertainty is embedded in science, whether it is a vaccine that is 80% effective, which is good, but it can be 20% wrong because that is what 80% certainty actually means. It actually means we need to go back to the people so that they understand science, they understand uncertainty, and they understand that because of this concept of high certainty, it means, yes, there will be cases where things are not going to work, but the greatest amount of people are going to be helped. Our scientific advisory board offered several ideas and proposals after our retreat last week. We can build more local forums where community leaders, businesses, scientists, and public could come together and work together. We can build more public repositories of. scientific research and data where the latest developments and data can actually be deposited for everybody to have access to it. We have to simplify science. We have to simplify science because science literacy is now a human rights issue. And if it is a human rights issue, we need to migrate from using bombastic language that confuse people so that we can actually broaden access to science. We can invest in programs to combat misinformation and disinformation. And we can establish international forums such as this. But this international forum should not actually just be restricted to this room. As a UN official, I think the issue of taking the values of the United Nations to the people is very important. It means that person who is sitting in a village where I come from, who does not have the luxury of reading the latest articles from Science Magazine and Nature, must also be brought into the discussion, which means we need to go out there and simplify the concepts and go out there and educate. This year, the UN launched an international decade of sciences and sustainable development. This is an important initiative that highlights how science can deliver for people around the world. But it can only do that if we build trust in science and scientific organizations. And I think I need to say this because we have many scientific organizations, but they are fragmented. Sometimes we hear people saying, we don’t trust this because it comes from country X and country Y. And this, obviously, is dangerous for all of us. I’m, however, delighted that the International Science Council is playing its rightful role. which is central. In this, and I am committing the United Nations University to support all efforts to build trust in science and to take science to the people. Thank you very much.

Emran Mian: I thank you. I’m following remarks made by a set of very distinguished scientists and I should begin by admitting that I’m merely a bureaucrat and so these are bureaucrats reflections on some of the things that we’ve just been hearing about. The first thing I wanted to emphasize is just the importance of countries such as the UK contributing, playing their part in funding collaboration between countries on science. And this is something that we invest in across the world, over 300 million pounds that we’re currently investing in international science partnerships. We’ve recently come back into the horizon framework that enables collaboration between a large number of principally European but not exclusively European countries. And I think the role that the UK plays by that match by lots of other countries I think in fostering those international networks is a really important one. And I think a one that sort of is really important for governments to continue to do. The second thing that I think is really important thing for governments to do is to put science at the heart of decision-making. And I think Sandra Eden’s challenge on this is a really important one. The way we manage this in the UK system is in every government department, every single government department, we have a chief scientific advisor who sits as part of the leadership team of that department. And then we have a government chief scientific advisor who’s part of the top table in government. Obviously that’s not the only model by which you can achieve this, but the principle of bringing scientists and really scientists themselves and not people speaking on behalf of scientists into the heart of decision-making I think is something that has real importance. And then the third thing I just mentioned, and again this is me being self-conscious about being a bureaucrat, is sometimes the bureaucrats need to get out of the way and enable science collaboration, science diplomacy to happen. I was really thinking about this a few weeks ago. I was in a room with a set of physicists and talking about something that one of my teams is working on to foster international partnerships on compute. As people here will know, lots of countries are investing lots… and lots of money in building these massive clusters of compute to enable AI development. And in the same way as countries have collaborated on other elements of science infrastructure such as particle accelerators and telescopes, this is an element of scientific infrastructure that countries can be collaborating on. And this is beginning to happen. And we’re doing a lot of work to try and sort of play our part in making this happen. And I was talking about this with a research group of physicists and then one of them sort of held out his telephone and said, this is how we do international computer partnerships. And he showed me a group that they have, which is a global group of particle physicists, who simply message each other and ask, where do you have some compute capacity? I’ve got some code that I need to run. And then somebody will say, I’ve got some compute capacity next week, send me your code. And I think there’s the important point here is that I think scientific collaboration simply wants to happen. Scientific knowledge simply wants to happen across national boundaries. It’s not bounded nationally. Governments can help to make this happen, but also sometimes governments just need to get out of the way and let scientists do it.

María Estelí Jarquín: Thank you so much for your closing remarks. And this finishes our side event. Thank you so much for joining us today. Please connect to our experts and feel out the evaluation form of this event, which can be accessed on the QR code on the screen. Thank you.

Agreement Points

Importance of science diplomacy for global challenges

Speakers

Ambassador Maritza Chan

Melissa Fleming

Ambassador Omar Hilale

Sir Peter Gluckman

Arguments

Science diplomacy can bridge gaps between nations and facilitate collaboration

Science diplomacy is needed to navigate complex global crises and make the world more sustainable and equitable

Science diplomacy allows for leveraging scientific expertise to develop comprehensive strategies for long-term sustainable solutions

Science diplomacy can help address critical issues while amplifying Africa’s voice in international discussions

Summary

Multiple speakers emphasized the crucial role of science diplomacy in addressing global challenges, fostering collaboration between nations, and developing sustainable solutions.

Need for greater integration of science in policymaking

Speakers

Sir Peter Gluckman

Professor Tshilidzi Marwala

Dr. Emran Mian

Arguments

There is a need to embed science diplomacy within countries’ diplomatic toolkits

Scientists should be brought into the core of political decision-making processes

Governments need to put science at the heart of decision-making and fund international scientific collaboration

Summary

Several speakers argued for the increased integration of scientific expertise in policymaking processes and diplomatic strategies.

Similar Viewpoints

Both speakers highlighted the importance of inclusivity and diversity in science diplomacy, emphasizing the need to recognize and include underrepresented groups and knowledge systems.

Speakers

Dr. Dalee Sambo Dorough

Dr. Mohammad Hosseini

Arguments

Indigenous knowledge systems should be recognized and respected alongside scientific research

Young scientists face challenges in mobility and international collaboration due to visa issues and sanctions

Unexpected Consensus

Balancing government involvement and scientific freedom

Speakers

Dr. Emran Mian

Dr. Gihan Kamel

Arguments

Sometimes bureaucrats need to get out of the way and let scientists collaborate naturally

Science alone cannot solve political and economic problems, but science diplomacy can play an important role

Explanation

Both speakers, despite their different backgrounds, acknowledged the limitations of both science and bureaucracy alone, suggesting a balanced approach where governments facilitate but don’t overly restrict scientific collaboration.

Overall Assessment

Summary

There was broad agreement on the importance of science diplomacy for addressing global challenges, the need for greater integration of science in policymaking, and the importance of inclusivity and diversity in scientific collaboration.

Consensus level

High level of consensus on core principles, with some variation in specific implementation strategies. This suggests a strong foundation for advancing science diplomacy initiatives, but potential challenges in agreeing on precise mechanisms for implementation.

Disagreement Points

Role of governments in facilitating scientific collaboration

Speakers

Professor Tshilidzi Marwala

Dr. Emran Mian

Arguments

Scientists should be brought into the core of political decision-making processes

Sometimes bureaucrats need to get out of the way and let scientists collaborate naturally

Summary

While Professor Marwala argues for greater inclusion of scientists in political decision-making, Dr. Mian suggests that sometimes governments should allow scientists to cooperate freely without bureaucratic interference.

Overall Assessment

Summary

The main areas of disagreement revolve around the role of governments in facilitating scientific collaboration and the specific challenges facing international scientific cooperation.

Disagreement level

The level of disagreement among the speakers is relatively low. Most speakers agree on the importance of science diplomacy and the need for greater international collaboration. The disagreements are mainly about the specific approaches to achieve these goals, which suggests a generally unified vision for the future of science diplomacy with some differences in implementation strategies.

Partial Agreements

Both speakers agree on the challenges facing international scientific collaboration, but they focus on different aspects. Sir Peter Gluckman emphasizes the broader retreat from globalization, while Dr. Hosseini highlights specific barriers like visa issues and sanctions.

Speakers

Sir Peter Gluckman

Dr. Mohammad Hosseini

Arguments

The era of globalization and commitment to global interdependence in science is in retreat

Young scientists face challenges in mobility and international collaboration due to visa issues and sanctions

Similar Viewpoints

Both speakers highlighted the importance of inclusivity and diversity in science diplomacy, emphasizing the need to recognize and include underrepresented groups and knowledge systems.

Speakers

Dr. Dalee Sambo Dorough

Dr. Mohammad Hosseini

Arguments

Indigenous knowledge systems should be recognized and respected alongside scientific research

Young scientists face challenges in mobility and international collaboration due to visa issues and sanctions

Key Takeaways

Science diplomacy is crucial for addressing global challenges and fostering international collaboration

There are significant challenges to science diplomacy, including geopolitical tensions and lack of trust in science

Diversity and inclusion in science diplomacy need to be improved, including representation of women, indigenous knowledge, and young scientists

Governments need to prioritize science in policymaking and fund international scientific collaboration

Building trust in science and combating misinformation are essential for effective science diplomacy

Resolutions and Action Items

Calls for deeper investment in science, especially in inclusive ways

Suggestion to build more local forums where community leaders, businesses, scientists and public can work together

Proposal to create more public repositories of scientific research and data

Commitment from the United Nations University to support efforts to build trust in science and take science to the people

Unresolved Issues

How to effectively integrate science into diplomatic processes and policymaking

How to address restrictions on scientific collaboration due to geopolitical tensions and sanctions

How to improve science communication and literacy among the general public

How to balance national interests with the need for global scientific collaboration

Suggested Compromises

Starting scientific collaboration in non-sensitive areas like water and crop management with countries currently excluded from global scientific community

Simplifying scientific language to make it more accessible to the general public

Allowing scientists more direct involvement in political decision-making processes

Balancing government support for international scientific collaboration with allowing scientists to collaborate naturally without bureaucratic interference

Science is the field of evidence and concrete actions. Diplomacy is the art to make the impossible possible. And as Eliza just said, we need scientists as they need diplomacy. And when they gather all together, they are able to reach the best results, to help the world, to heal the wounds of our planet, and also to contribute to the implementation of SDGs.

Speaker

Omar Hilale

Reason

This comment succinctly captures the complementary nature of science and diplomacy, framing their combination as a powerful force for positive change.

Impact

It set the tone for the discussion by emphasizing the importance of integrating science and diplomacy to address global challenges.

Unless we use science wisely and urgently, we are all at risk.

Speaker

Peter Gluckman

Reason

This stark warning underscores the critical importance of leveraging scientific knowledge to address global threats.

Impact

It added a sense of urgency to the discussion and highlighted the high stakes involved in effectively utilizing science for diplomacy and policymaking.

Can science save us? Can science save Sesame? Can Sesame save the Middle East? No. The only fact that we know is that science alone cannot solve the many political security and economic problems that we are facing. But we know very well that science diplomacy can.

Speaker

Gihan Kamel

Reason

This comment realistically assesses the limitations of science while emphasizing the potential of science diplomacy to address complex regional issues.

Impact

It shifted the discussion towards a more nuanced understanding of how science and diplomacy must work together to solve multifaceted problems.

We need to bring evidence and back into the fold of all policymaking and we all as a community need to call for it. We need to hold our governments accountable for not actually respecting the scientific evidence that we have before us.

Speaker

Sandrine Dixson-Declève

Reason

This comment forcefully argues for the integration of scientific evidence into policymaking and calls for accountability from governments.

Impact

It challenged participants to consider how to more effectively advocate for science-based policymaking and hold decision-makers accountable.

As a young researcher who was born in Iran and is now in the U.S., I can tell you that science diplomacy means one thing to me and people like me, and that is hope. Hope that we can be better than our politicians, and we can do better, and we can inspire them.

Speaker

Mohammad Hosseini

Reason

This personal perspective highlights the transformative potential of science diplomacy, especially for researchers from politically isolated countries.

Impact

It brought attention to the human dimension of science diplomacy and its potential to bridge political divides, shifting the conversation to consider more inclusive approaches.

Overall Assessment

These key comments shaped the discussion by emphasizing the urgent need for integrating science and diplomacy to address global challenges, highlighting both the potential and limitations of science diplomacy, and calling for more inclusive and accountable approaches. The speakers brought diverse perspectives from different regions and career stages, enriching the conversation with real-world examples and personal insights. The discussion evolved from defining the relationship between science and diplomacy to exploring concrete ways to leverage this relationship for sustainable development and peace-building, while also addressing challenges such as political barriers and the need for greater inclusivity in scientific collaboration.

How can we strengthen the role of science in diplomatic processes and policy-making?

Speaker

Sir Peter Gluckman

Explanation

Sir Peter emphasized that the science community must play a more integral role in diplomatic processes, as science is often excluded from political decision-making. Strengthening this connection is crucial for addressing global challenges effectively.

How can we rebuild trust in science and combat misinformation in the digital age?

Speaker

Melissa Fleming

Explanation

Melissa Fleming highlighted the challenge of communicating scientific facts in the age of social media, where misinformation spreads rapidly. Exploring ways to rebuild trust in science and effectively communicate facts is crucial for informed decision-making.

How can we ensure that developing economies and underrepresented regions are included in science diplomacy initiatives?

Speaker

Maritza Chan

Explanation

Ambassador Chan emphasized the importance of including developing economies and underrepresented regions in science diplomacy efforts to ensure no one is left behind in addressing global challenges.

How can we improve the integration of indigenous knowledge systems with scientific research?

Speaker

Dalee Sambo Dorough

Explanation

Dr. Dorough highlighted the need for better recognition and integration of indigenous knowledge systems in scientific research and policy-making, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and recognition.

How can we address the challenges young scientists face in engaging in science diplomacy, particularly those from countries excluded from the global scientific community?

Speaker

Mohammad Hosseini

Explanation

Dr. Hosseini raised concerns about the barriers young scientists face, especially those from countries excluded from global scientific collaboration due to political reasons. Addressing these challenges is crucial for fostering truly global scientific cooperation.

How can we simplify scientific communication to make it more accessible to the general public?

Speaker

Tshilidzi Marwala

Explanation

Rector Marwala emphasized the need to simplify scientific language and concepts to make them more accessible to the general public, viewing science literacy as a human rights issue.

How can we develop more effective models for integrating scientific advice into government decision-making processes?

Speaker

Emran Mian

Explanation

Mr. Mian discussed the UK model of having chief scientific advisors in every government department and suggested exploring various models to effectively integrate scientific advice into government decision-making.