Event

Global Ministerial Dialogue on Science Diplomacy

Science Diplomacy in a Rapidly Changing World: Building Peace in the Minds of Men and Women
Science Diplomacy
Event
Multistakeholder High-level Conference on Science Diplomacy
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Location
UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
Rooms :
Room II
Room X
Type :
Cat IV – International Congress
Arrangement type :
Hybrid
Language(s) :
French
Spanish
English

About the Dialogue

At a time when geopolitical tensions and technological advancements are reshaping our world, the Global Science Ministerial Dialogue on Science Diplomacy, as part of the , aims to advance international dialogue on creating a new global framework for science diplomacy that addresses the current needs of society.

Objectives of the Dialogue

The Dialogue aims to:

  • Foster high-level commitment to science diplomacy as an instrument for promoting dialogue and peace;

  • Explore innovative science diplomacy initiatives through exchanges between ministers, scientists, diplomats, and experts to contribute to peace building and human rights protection;

  • Agree on a common framework to advance shared goals through science diplomacy; and

  • Highlight ongoing initiatives and opportunities in science diplomacy. 

UNESCO

Registration

The event is open to the public, and we warmly invite you to join us in person at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. In addition, the event will also be accessible online via Zoom. Due to a high volume of interest in the event, please be aware that during the Global Ministerial Segment, priority access will be granted to country delegations. If a session fills up, a webcast will be provided in an adjacent auditorium. 

Please note that registration is required for all in-person and online participants. In-person registration will close on 20 March.

Online participation

In addition to in-person attendance, the event will also be accessible online via Zoom. Kindly note that registration is required for all online participants.

25 March | Programme and Speakers

Multistakeholder High-Level Conference

This segment brings together experts, scientists, and diplomats to explore and assess innovative science diplomacy frameworks and approaches in today’s complex global context. 

The programme is provided in Central European Time (CET). Click on the sessions below to view the speakers. 

Master of ceremony: Shaofeng Hu, UNESCO 

Lidia Brito, Assistant Director General, Natural Sciences, UNESCO 
Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Union Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation 
Speaker TBD, Africa Union Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation  

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Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University and Representative of the UN’s Secretary General’s Science Advisory Board

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Moderator: Ezra Clark, UNESCO

Peter Gluckman, President of the International Science Council 
Ana Maria Cetto, UNESCO Chair on Science Diplomacy and Heritage, Professor at Universidad
Nacional Autónoma de México 
Jan Marco Müller, Team Leader Global Approach, Multilateral Dialogue and Science Diplomacy at the European Commission
Daan du Toit, Deputy Director-General of International Cooperation and Resources at the South African
Department of Science and Innovation 
Zakri Abdul Hamid, Founding Director of the International Institute for Science Diplomacy and
Sustainability, Malaysia
Kimberly Montgomery, Director of International Affairs and Science Diplomacy at the American Association for
the Advancement of Science

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Moderator: Ana Persic, UNESCO

Rémi Quirion, Chair of the International Network for Government Science Advice, Chief Scientist of
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Jeremy Farrar, Chief Scientist, World Health Organization 
Geneviève Almouzni, Member of the Human Cell Atlas Coordinating Committee, Research Director at
CNRS and Institut Curie
Speaker TBD, World Intellectual Property Organization

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Moderator: Amal Kasry, UNESCO

Maricela Muñoz, Director, External Affairs, Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator
Ayumi Moore Aoki, Founder and CEO of Tech Diplomacy Forum, Founder and CEO of Women in Tech
Global 
Sandro Scandolo, Head of Research and Partnerships at Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical
Physics (ICTP)
Speaker TBC, Google AI in Ghana
Izumi Nakamitsu, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
Jiaofeng Pan, President of Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences

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Moderator: Abou Amani, UNESCO

András Szöllősi-Nagy, UNESCO Chair on Water Conflict Management, Professor at Ludovika University of
Public Service, Hungary
Speaker TBD,  Report from the FRIEND-NILE meeting 
Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of UN Office for Outer Space Affairs
Rolf-Dieter Heuer, President of the Council, Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in
the Middle East
Olivier Rukundo, Head of the Peoples and Biodiversity Unit at the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological
Diversity

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Lidia Brito, Assistant Director General, Natural Sciences, UNESCO

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26 March | Programme and Speakers

Global Ministerial Segment

This segment brings together Ministers responsible for Science and External Relations to discuss science diplomacy priorities and identify concrete areas of collaboration. The discussions will conclude with the adoption of a joint Ministerial Statement on Science Diplomacy in a Rapidly Changing World: Building Peace in the Minds of Men and Women, along with announcements of specific science diplomacy initiatives.

Due to a high volume of interest in the event, please be aware that during the Global Ministerial Segment, priority access will be granted to country delegations. If a session fills up, a webcast will be provided in an adjacent auditorium. 

The programme is provided in Central European Time (CET). Please note that the parties making statements are not published at this time. 

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Please note that the ministerial lunch is by invitation only.

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Event Documents

Please click on the below documents to view the event's concept note in full, official programme and background notes for the roundtables of the Global Ministerial Segment. We recommend downloading and reviewing the background notes ahead of the Global Ministerial Segment on 26 March.

Please note that the Ministerial Lunch session is a closed event.  

25-26 March | Concept Note and Programme
Science Diplomacy
26 March | Background Notes for the Global Ministerial Segment
Science Diplomacy
26 March | Background Note for the Ministerial Lunch (by invitation only)
Science Diplomacy

Practical Information

Access and registration

  • Access to the conference is via the UNESCO entrance at 125 avenue de Suffren 75007
  • The registration desk will be open from 8:30 on 25 March and from 8:00 on 26 March
  • You must present a proof of identity and the QR code received by email upon registering on  

Interpretation

  • The official languages of the conference are English and French. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided during all sessions, except the events taking place during lunch, which will be in English only.

Your stay in Paris

  • Please find below a list of green hotels conveniently located near UNESCO
Green hotels near UNESCO

Contact Us

For any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the UNESCO Science, Technology and Innovation Policy team at sciencepolicy@unesco.org.