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Issue No. 14 | Monday, July 20, 2026

Good morning,

Welcome to The Science Diplomat Playbook, your Monday morning guide to what’s shaping the week ahead in global science diplomacy.

The lead

Three years on, the AU–EU Innovation Agenda turns from ambition to delivery.

African Union and European officials have largely moved beyond defining the ambitions of their joint research and innovation partnership. This week, they turn to a more difficult question: how to convert those ambitions into durable partnerships, stronger innovation ecosystems and new opportunities for young researchers and entrepreneurs.

Launched in July 2023, the agenda provides a framework for strengthening research, innovation and entrepreneurship between Africa and Europe to support sustainable and inclusive growth. The sixth implementation workshop on Thursday shifts attention from political commitments to the practical work of expanding research collaboration, strengthening innovation ecosystems and supporting a new generation of entrepreneurs.

The workshop also reflects a broader shift in international science diplomacy. After years of launching new frameworks and partnerships, many institutions now face the harder task of making them work.

The agenda was created to provide a common framework for cooperation in research, innovation, entrepreneurship and scientific capacity building across five priority areas, including the green transition, public health, science and technology, and research capacity.

A series of implementation workshops has brought together researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, innovation hubs and youth organizations to translate those objectives into practical collaborations.

This year’s workshop focuses on youth-led innovation, highlighting how startups, universities, innovation hubs and policymakers can strengthen cross-continental partnerships. Sessions will examine mobility programs, entrepreneurship support, intellectual property, university-industry partnerships and funding opportunities while taking stock of progress under the first phase of the 2023–2033 agenda.

As one AU official told us, the main task is no longer simply financing collaboration but building institutional capacity that turns research into innovation partnerships.

Major processes to watch

International Seabed Authority — Negotiations on the Mining Code deepen

The international organization in Kingston, Jamaica, enters another week of intensive negotiations on the Mining Code, the rules that would govern commercial exploitation of mineral resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

This week’s agenda moves beyond broad principles into the architecture of regulation, including compliance and enforcement mechanisms, closure plans for mining operations, regulatory provisions and environmental protections. Parallel discussions examine regional environmental management plans, transparency of environmental data and the relationship between the ISA and the U.N. High Seas (BBNJ) Agreement.

The Council meets through July 24 before the ISA Assembly opens the following week to consider broader institutional, budgetary and governance questions.

Geneva — CITES moves from decisions to implementation

The CITES Plants Committee meets for the first time since CoP20 in Samarkand to begin the scientific work of implementing conference decisions.

While governments adopted new resolutions and species listings at CoP20, the Plants Committee now begins translating those political decisions into technical guidance on sustainable trade, species identification and scientific assessments used by national authorities.

This week, the Plants Committee will work to advance the scientific priorities and measures for sustainable trade in medicinal and aromatic plants, rosewood trees, orchids, and other wild flora.

Inside institutions

WMO — Ozone assessment panel meets

Scientists meet at World Meteorological Organization headquarters to finalize the Executive Summary for the 2026 Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion, the quadrennial report that informs Parties to the Montreal Protocol.

U.N. Global Mechanism — Strengthening ICT security

Diplomats begin the first plenary session of the General Assembly's new permanent mechanism on developments in information and communications technologies in the context of international security.

The meeting is scheduled for Monday through Thursday, starting with statements from U.N. Undersecretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu and El Salvador’s U.N. Ambassador Egriselda López, who chairs the global mechanism.

Security Council watch — Diplomats examine governance beyond crisis response

The U.N. Security Council convenes two debates that look beyond immediate conflicts toward the institutions designed to prevent them.

On Wednesday, diplomats examine how governance of natural resources, including critical minerals, affects peace and security. On Thursday, the Council considers U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres’ recommendations for strengthening mediation and other Chapter VI mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Across regions

Africa–Europe — The AU–EU Innovation Agenda implementation workshop explores how young innovators, entrepreneurs and research organizations can strengthen cross-continental collaboration through funding, mobility and innovation partnerships.

New York — The High-Level Political Forum concludes its annual review of progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, with ministers focusing on accelerating implementation in the final years before 2030.

Signals

• International partnerships are judged more by implementation than new commitments.

• Scientific advisory bodies continue to play a larger role in translating political agreements into operational guidance.

• Capacity building has become a central objective of international science cooperation.

• Governance of strategic resources, from biodiversity to critical minerals, is moving closer to the center of global diplomacy.

• Preventive governance is receiving renewed attention across domains ranging from cybersecurity to conflict prevention.

On the calendar

July 14–23 — High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (New York)
Governments continue annual reviews of progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. → Program

July 17–23 — CITES Plants Committee (Geneva)
Scientific experts meet for the first time since CITES CoP20 to advance implementation of new species listings and guidance on sustainable trade in medicinal plants, rosewoods, orchids and other wild flora. → Agenda

July 20–24 — Plenary Session, Global Mechanism on ICTs in the Context of International Security (New York)

Diplomats hold the first substantive plenary session of the new Global Mechanism on ICT Security. → Documents

July 23 — AU–EU Innovation Agenda Workshop (Online)

African Union and European Commission officials review implementation of the 10-year Innovation Agenda, with a focus on youth-led innovation and entrepreneurship. → Program

July 13–31 — International Seabed Authority Annual Session (Kingston, Jamaica)
Delegates continue negotiations on rules governing potential deep-sea mining activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction. → Overview

Closing

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Issue No. 13 | Monday, July 13, 2026

Good morning,

Welcome to The Science Diplomat Playbook, your Monday morning guide to what’s shaping the week ahead in global science diplomacy.

The lead

IIASA launches the Howard Raiffa Academy to explore how decision science can strengthen diplomacy and public policy.

As governments struggle to navigate complex challenges ranging from artificial intelligence and climate change to public health, resource security and geopolitical competition, a gathering at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis this week will explore a question that sits at the heart of science diplomacy: How can decision-makers make better choices under conditions of uncertainty?

The inaugural Howard Raiffa Academy Short Course, taking place Tuesday through Thursday in Laxenburg, Austria, brings together scientists, diplomats, policymakers, negotiators and decision-analysis experts to examine how analytical tools can improve decision-making and international cooperation. Organized with support from Friends of IIASA and named after Howard Raiffa, IIASA’s first director and one of the founders of modern decision and negotiation analysis, the initiative reflects growing interest in the role of decision science in addressing complex global challenges.

The timing is notable. The international system faces pressure from rapid technological change, rising geopolitical tensions, climate risks and interconnected crises. Yet many of the institutions responsible for managing these challenges were designed for a different era. The Raiffa Academy begins from the premise that scientific evidence alone is often insufficient. What matters equally is how uncertainty is understood, competing objectives are weighed, negotiations are structured and scientific knowledge is incorporated into policy decisions.

The three-day course combines methodological sessions with real-world case studies ranging from transboundary air pollution negotiations and Colorado River water allocation disputes to Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI. Participants will examine how decision analysis, negotiation analysis and systems thinking can be applied to public policy, diplomacy and governance.

A highlight of the week will be the annual Howard Raiffa Lecture at the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna, where former U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, now president-elect of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, will speak on “The Ethics of National Security Decisions: Lessons from the Social Sciences.”

The inaugural course is intended as a pilot for a broader effort. Organizers hope to build a network of scientists, policymakers and advisers capable of applying decision-science tools to international challenges where uncertainty is unavoidable, interests diverge and the stakes are high. In that sense, the Raiffa Academy is an experiment in strengthening the analytical foundations of international cooperation itself.

Major processes to watch

WHO Pandemic Agreement — Negotiations move to the implementation phase

Negotiators gather in Geneva for the last week of the seventh meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the WHO Pandemic Agreement, which runs through Friday. Governments will continue work on one of the most difficult unresolved elements of the accord: the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) annex.

Adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2025, the Pandemic Agreement established a framework for strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. But negotiators have yet to finalize the system governing how pathogen samples, genetic sequence data and resulting benefits, including vaccines, diagnostics and treatments, would be shared during future outbreaks.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged that governments had hoped to complete the negotiations before this year’s World Health Assembly. Instead, talks have been extended as countries search for consensus on issues at the intersection of public health, equity, intellectual property and global access.

The negotiations will test whether governments can move from agreeing on broad principles to constructing the mechanisms needed to make the agreement operational.

U.S.-Iran diplomacy — Switzerland may host another round

Reports indicate that U.S. and Iranian negotiators could return to Switzerland in the coming week as regional mediators seek to stabilize a fragile diplomatic process following renewed tensions.

Although details remain uncertain, a new round of talks would place questions of nuclear governance, verification, monitoring and regional security back at the center of international diplomacy. Switzerland has already hosted direct discussions between the two sides this year and remains one of the most important venues for sensitive negotiations involving science, technology and security issues.

Whether diplomacy can regain momentum after recent setbacks remains one of the key questions to watch.

High-Level Political Forum — The SDG deadline approaches

The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development continues in New York through Wednesday, as governments assess progress toward the 2030 Agenda with less than five years remaining before the deadline.

This year’s review focuses on water and sanitation, energy, infrastructure and innovation, sustainable cities and international partnerships. Discussions center not on setting new goals but on accelerating implementation of existing commitments.

Inside institutions

IIASA — Building a new bridge between science and policy

Beyond the Raiffa Academy itself, the initiative reflects a broader effort at IIASA to strengthen connections between scientific analysis and decision-making.

The institute has long specialized in systems analysis and international scientific cooperation. The new program seeks to expand that tradition by incorporating decision analysis, negotiation science and emerging AI-enabled approaches into frameworks for public policy and diplomacy. Organizers describe the effort as a way of helping researchers, policymakers and negotiators work more effectively across the science-policy interface.

WHO — Multilateralism under pressure

The Pandemic Agreement negotiations have become one of the most visible tests of contemporary multilateral health diplomacy.

The challenge is whether they can agree on how benefits, responsibilities and access should be distributed when the next global health emergency emerges.

Security Council watch — Resources, governance and the causes of conflict

Congo is using its Security Council presidency to elevate an important question in international affairs: whether competition over natural resources is adequately addressed as a source of conflict and instability.

An Arria-formula meeting on Monday will examine what organizers describe as normative gaps linking natural resources and peace, while a high-level Council debate later this month will focus on “Natural resource governance: The foundation of peace, security and prosperity.”

The discussions come as governments place growing strategic importance on critical minerals, energy resources and industrial supply chains. While the Council traditionally focuses on conflicts after they erupt, Congo’s presidency is seeking to draw greater attention to governance failures, resource competition and institutional weaknesses that can contribute to instability long before violence begins.

Across regions

Paris — UNESCO takes stock of the Science Decade

UNESCO convenes the first Global Conference of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development this week, bringing together governments, researchers, industry leaders, civil society organizations and Indigenous knowledge communities to assess progress since the Decade’s launch in 2024.

The gathering comes as policymakers look beyond individual scientific breakthroughs toward broader questions of how science can support sustainable development, strengthen science-policy interfaces and inform the post-2030 development agenda. A high-level session on “Science diplomacy in action: governing global commons” highlights the growing role of scientific cooperation in addressing challenges that transcend national borders.

Two years into the Decade, the conference offers an opportunity to evaluate whether governments are translating commitments on science for sustainable development into concrete action.

Bangkok — The Montreal Protocol faces a new funding test

Negotiators meet in Bangkok for the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol as governments begin preparations for the next replenishment of the Multilateral Fund, the financial mechanism that helps developing countries implement the treaty.

Often cited as one of the most successful environmental agreements ever negotiated, the Montreal Protocol now faces a new challenge: maintaining momentum on ozone protection and hydrofluorocarbon phase-down efforts amid mounting fiscal pressures on both governments and multilateral institutions.

The discussions will help shape decisions expected later this year in Kigali, Rwanda, where countries will mark the tenth anniversary of the Kigali Amendment and consider the next phase of funding for one of the world’s most effective science-based international agreements.

Kingston — Deep sea mining negotiations enter another critical phase

The International Seabed Authority resumes negotiations in Jamaica over rules that would govern commercial mining of mineral resources in international waters, one of the most consequential unresolved questions in ocean governance.

Delegates continue efforts to balance competing pressures from countries and companies seeking access to critical minerals used in energy and technology systems and those calling for a moratorium or precautionary pause until environmental risks are better understood.

At stake is more than a mining code. The negotiations are viewed as a test of how the international system manages scientific uncertainty, environmental protection and resource competition in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Signals

• Institutions are investing more in decision-making capacity, not just scientific expertise.

• The hardest phase of global governance begins after agreements are reached.

• Access to data is becoming as politically contested as access to physical resources.

• AI is moving from a governance challenge to a governance tool.

• Resource governance is emerging as a central question in both security and sustainability.

• Infrastructure resilience is becoming a core governance challenge.

On the calendar

July 14–16 — Howard Raiffa Academy Short Course (Laxenburg, Austria)
Scientists, diplomats, policymakers and decision-analysis experts examine how analytical tools can support decision-making, negotiation and diplomacy under uncertainty. → Information

July 15 — Howard Raiffa Lecture: Avril Haines (Vienna)
The former U.S. Director of National Intelligence delivers a lecture on the ethics of national security decision-making and lessons from the social sciences. → Program

July 6–17 — Intergovernmental Working Group on the WHO Pandemic Agreement (Geneva)
Negotiators continue work on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing annex to the Pandemic Agreement. → Information

July 14–23 — High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (New York)
Governments continue annual reviews of progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. → Program

July 15–17 — Global Conference of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (Paris)
UNESCO convenes governments, researchers and other stakeholders to assess progress on the Science Decade and explore science-policy cooperation beyond 2030. → Information

July 13–31 — International Seabed Authority Annual Session (Kingston, Jamaica)
Delegates continue negotiations on rules governing potential deep-sea mining activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction. → Overview

Closing

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Issue No. 12 | Monday, July 6, 2026

Good morning,

Welcome to The Science Diplomat Playbook, your Monday morning guide to what’s shaping the week ahead in global science diplomacy.

The lead

The global conversation about artificial intelligence moves from scientific assessment to political negotiation this week as governments, technology companies, researchers and international organizations converge on Geneva for a series of meetings that are helping define the emerging architecture of international AI governance.

More than 1,500 participants are expected for the inaugural Global Dialogue on AI Governance, a new United Nations process established by the General Assembly to provide a forum where governments and stakeholders can discuss international cooperation on artificial intelligence. The meeting follows last week’s release of the preliminary report of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, which warned that access to AI technologies does not necessarily translate into influence over the infrastructure, expertise, standards and governance systems shaping their development.

Now the political conversation begins.

The Global Dialogue takes place alongside the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum and the AI for Good Global Summit, bringing together many of the institutions, governments and organizations shaping the future of digital cooperation, technology governance and artificial intelligence.

Together, the three gatherings illustrate how the international system is beginning to organize itself around AI. WSIS provides the broader framework for digital cooperation and development. The Global Dialogue creates a new political forum for governments to discuss AI governance. AI for Good focuses on practical applications and implementation ranging from health and education to climate and development.

The week also follows the launch of the AI for Good Global Commission, a new high-level initiative bringing together heads of government, business leaders and U.N. officials under the co-chairmanship of Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff. The commission aims to identify practical pathways for expanding access to AI while addressing questions of trust, governance and digital inequality.

The coming days will provide an early indication of how governments respond to the scientific panel’s findings, whether the Global Dialogue develops into a recurring intergovernmental process, and how the various institutions emerging around AI begin to relate to one another.

Major processes to watch

Global Dialogue on AI Governance — Governments enter the conversation

The inaugural Global Dialogue on AI Governance opens Monday in Geneva as governments, international organizations, companies, researchers and civil society groups gather to discuss international cooperation on artificial intelligence.

Established by the U.N. General Assembly, the Dialogue is intended to provide a dedicated forum where countries can exchange views on AI opportunities and risks, capacity-building, AI divides, human rights and governance. The meeting follows last week’s release of the preliminary report of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and represents the first opportunity for governments to collectively respond to its findings.

The Dialogue will provide an early indication of whether countries can begin building common approaches to AI governance despite differing national priorities, levels of technological development and regulatory philosophies.

AI for Good Global Summit — From governance to implementation

The AI for Good Global Summit opens Tuesday in Geneva, bringing together governments, technology companies, researchers and international organizations to examine how artificial intelligence can be applied to challenges ranging from health and education to climate change and sustainable development.

The summit follows last week’s launch of the AI for Good Global Commission, a new initiative co-chaired by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff that brings together heads of government, business leaders and U.N. officials to identify practical pathways for expanding access to AI while addressing questions of trust, governance and digital inequality.

The Commission’s creation reflects growing efforts to move beyond discussions of AI risks and regulation toward questions of implementation, access and governance at scale.

WSIS Forum — Twenty years of digital cooperation

The World Summit on the Information Society Forum convenes governments, U.N. agencies, technical organizations, companies and civil society groups to assess progress on digital cooperation and the information society.

Established following the original WSIS process, the forum addresses issues including connectivity, digital inclusion, cybersecurity, digital development and internet governance. While artificial intelligence dominates many discussions this year, the forum provides the broader institutional framework linking digital development, technology governance and international cooperation.

Together with the Global Dialogue and AI for Good, the gathering helps illustrate how a broader ecosystem of AI and digital governance institutions is taking shape.

ICRC Digital Emblem Project — Humanitarian law enters cyberspace

The International Committee of the Red Cross launches the second phase of its Digital Emblem Project on Thursday at CERN’s Globe of Science and Innovation, moving an effort to protect humanitarian and medical services in cyberspace from concept development toward operational implementation.

The project seeks to translate the protective function of the Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal emblems into the digital environment. The goal is to create a technical means for hospitals, humanitarian organizations and other protected entities to signal their protected status during cyber operations and armed conflict.

The next phase will focus on testing, adoption pathways and implementation. Participants include representatives from the ICRC, Switzerland, the International Telecommunication Union, Microsoft, Cloudflare, UNESCO and other organizations working on humanitarian law, cybersecurity and technology governance.

The initiative highlights a broader challenge confronting international institutions: how legal protections developed for the physical world can be adapted to digital forms of conflict.

High-Level Political Forum — The U.N. takes stock of the Sustainable Development Goals

The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development opens Tuesday at U.N. headquarters in New York as governments assess progress toward the 2030 Agenda with less than five years remaining before the deadline.

This year’s forum will review water and sanitation, energy, infrastructure and innovation, sustainable cities, and international partnerships. Thirty-six countries, including Switzerland, Brazil, Italy, Norway and the United Arab Emirates, will present Voluntary National Reviews outlining their progress, challenges and lessons learned in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.

The forum also will feature the release of the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2026, providing an updated assessment of global progress.

As with many U.N. processes this year, the central challenge remains implementation. With 2030 approaching, discussions are focused on how to accelerate progress rather than simply measuring it.

Inside institutions

Human Rights Council — Decisions and conclusions

The Human Rights Council resumes consideration of draft resolutions on Monday as its sixty-second session moves through a crowded agenda covering Sudan, Eritrea, Myanmar, humanitarian access in armed conflict, business and human rights, disability rights, education, disinformation, freedom of expression, judicial independence, gender equality and climate change.

Several items intersect directly with this week’s broader technology and governance agenda, including draft texts on disinformation, freedom of expression, business and human rights, and climate change.

The session’s final decisions will provide an indication of how human rights institutions are adapting to interconnected challenges involving conflict, information integrity, humanitarian access, climate impacts and emerging technologies.

UN Trade and Development — Following the investment flows

UN Trade and Development releases its World Investment Report 2026 on Tuesday, offering one of the year’s most comprehensive assessments of global investment patterns.

The report arrives as governments link economic resilience, technological competitiveness, industrial policy and national security. Particular attention is likely to focus on the distribution of investment between developed and developing economies, the concentration of capital in strategic sectors, and whether foreign direct investment is helping countries participate in emerging technological and industrial systems.

The findings will provide another measure of a question that runs through many international debates this year: who benefits from technological transformation, and who risks being left behind.

Security Council watch — Accountability, resources and the causes of conflict

Congo assumes the Security Council presidency this month with an agenda that links accountability, protection and resource governance—three issues that sit at the center of international security debates.

The Council’s work begins this week with a briefing on the International Criminal Court’s Darfur-related activities in Sudan and its annual open debate on conflict-related sexual violence under the theme, “Honouring the promise of international law to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.”

Later in the month, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi is expected to chair a high-level debate on “Natural resource governance: the foundation of peace, security and prosperity,” while Secretary-General António Guterres is expected to brief. The Council will also discuss recommendations for strengthening mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes under a report requested through Resolution 2788.

The agenda reflects a broader question confronting the Council: whether addressing conflict requires not only responding to violence and violations of international law, but also tackling governance failures, resource competition and institutional weaknesses that contribute to instability in the first place.

Across regions

Brussels — Europe’s regions prepare for the post-2027 era

Officials, regional authorities and policy experts gather in Brussels this week for the Macro-regional and Sea Basin Strategies Days, an annual meeting focused on cross-border cooperation in eight European regional and maritime frameworks, including the Alpine, Danube, Baltic Sea, Adriatic-Ionian and Atlantic regions.

This year’s discussions are expected to focus heavily on the European Union’s next budget cycle and the shape of regional policy after 2027.

Organizers point to growing emphasis on security, resilience, competitiveness, enlargement and place-based implementation amid geopolitical tensions, climate pressures and economic transformation.

Workshops will examine issues ranging from enlargement and support for candidate countries to resilience, civil preparedness, green and digital transitions, and regional cooperation in Europe’s maritime basins.

House of Commons — Britain examines science diplomacy

The Foundation for Science and Technology, the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee and Sense about Science host a discussion on science diplomacy on Tuesday as Parliament considers recommendations from a recent inquiry into the role of science in foreign policy.

The event follows a parliamentary inquiry examining how scientific research, international partnerships and foreign policy can be aligned to advance national interests and strengthen international relationships. Participants include committee chair Dame Chi Onwurah, former science minister George Freeman, Wellcome Trust Executive Director Charlotte Watts and former universities minister David Willetts.

It reflects growing interest among governments in treating scientific cooperation not only as a tool for addressing shared challenges but also as an instrument of foreign policy, technological competitiveness and alliance-building.

Signals

• AI governance is entering its political phase.

• Infrastructure is becoming the new source of influence.

• Implementation is replacing aspiration as the dominant theme of multilateral governance.

• Institutions are adapting existing rules to digital realities rather than building entirely new systems.

• Resource governance is emerging as a central security issue.

On the calendar

July 6-7 — Global Dialogue on AI Governance (Geneva)

The inaugural U.N. forum created by the General Assembly to enable governments and stakeholders to discuss international cooperation on artificial intelligence. → Information → Closing Sessions

July 6-10 — WSIS Forum 2026 (Geneva)

The annual World Summit on the Information Society gathering focused on digital cooperation, connectivity, development and technology governance. → Overview

July 7-10 — AI for Good Global Summit (Geneva)

ITU’s flagship event bringing together governments, companies and researchers to explore practical applications of AI for global challenges. → Program

July 7 — Launch of the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2026 (New York)

The United Nations releases its annual assessment of global progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. → Information

July 7 — U.K. science diplomacy discussion (London)

A House of Commons event exploring how science diplomacy can support international cooperation, alliances and technological competitiveness as Parliament considers recommendations from a recent inquiry. → Program

July 7-15 — High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (New York)

The U.N.’s principal annual review of implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. → Overview

July 7 — Security Council briefing on ICC Sudan (New York)

The International Criminal Court updates the Security Council on investigations and accountability efforts related to crimes in Darfur. → Information

July 8 — Security Council open debate on conflict-related sexual violence (New York)

A high-level discussion examining implementation of international law and protections for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. → Overview

July 9 — Global Launch of the Digital Emblem Project, Phase II (CERN, Geneva)

The ICRC unveils the next phase of its effort to extend the protective function of humanitarian emblems into cyberspace. → Program

July 9 — HLPF Science Day 2026 (New York)

A special forum exploring the role of science, technology and innovation in accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. → Program

Closing

You’re reading The Science Diplomat Playbook, a weekly briefing mapping the institutions, technologies and governance systems shaping international cooperation.

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Issue No. 11 | Monday, June 29, 2026

Good morning,

Welcome to The Science Diplomat Playbook, your Monday morning guide to what’s shaping the week ahead in global science diplomacy.

The lead

Switzerland’s glaciers are reaching a threshold that extends beyond ice loss.

On Monday, Switzerland reaches what glaciologists call “Glacier Loss Day” — the point at which seasonal snow reserves have been exhausted and every additional liter of meltwater comes directly from glacier ice. Researchers at ETH Zurich and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research say the date arrives unusually early this year following a June heatwave, with melt patterns already resembling those recorded during 2022, the worst year on record for glacier loss in Switzerland.

The more consequential finding may be what scientists are now observing downstream. During the extreme summer of 2022, Swiss glaciers lost more ice than they did during Europe’s historic 2003 heatwave. Yet they contributed less meltwater to river systems. The explanation is simple: there is less glacier left.

For decades, Alpine glaciers functioned as natural reservoirs, releasing water during hot and dry periods. New research suggests that this buffering capacity is beginning to weaken. The question is no longer only how quickly glaciers are disappearing, but what happens when the ice reserves that have long supported rivers, agriculture, hydropower and ecosystems continue to shrink.

The week ahead highlights a similar question across international institutions: what happens when long-term trends become operational realities? From artificial intelligence and migration to trade, development and environmental governance, policymakers are increasingly focused on adaptation rather than anticipation.

Major Processes to Watch

Counterterrorism Week — The U.N. reviews a 20-year-old security framework

Counterterrorism Week opens at U.N. headquarters as governments prepare for the ninth review of the U.N. Global Counterterrorism Strategy, one of the world’s most comprehensive multilateral security frameworks.

Adopted by consensus in 2006 and reviewed every two years by the General Assembly, the strategy has evolved into a broad framework for international cooperation on prevention, capacity-building, human rights, border security, financing, online radicalization and emerging threats. This week’s review process includes the Fourth High-Level Conference of Heads of Counterterrorism Agencies, a General Assembly review involving all U.N. member states, and approximately 40 side events bringing together governments, U.N. entities, regional organizations, researchers, civil society organizations and private-sector representatives.

The timing is notable. The review comes as governments confront a threat landscape that differs substantially from the one that existed when the strategy was adopted two decades ago. Artificial intelligence, digital platforms, encrypted communications, drone technologies and other emerging capabilities are reshaping how security institutions assess risks and coordinate responses.

A dedicated session on the misuse of AI and emerging technologies reflects the growing prominence of technical expertise within international security discussions. Other sessions will examine terrorism in conflict-affected environments, networked forms of multilateral cooperation and preparations for the twentieth anniversary of the strategy in 2026.

For observers of international governance, the review offers a window into how governments are attempting to update a major global framework for a different technological and geopolitical era.

U.S.-Iran Technical Talks

The status of planned U.S.-Iran technical talks, initially expected to continue in Switzerland, may offer the clearest indication this week of whether the recently negotiated ceasefire framework remains intact.

The U.S. and Iran will “stand down” and technical teams are expected to meet Tuesday in Doha after several days of military exchanges threatened to derail the process, according to Axios, Reuters, and CNN. Discussions are expected to focus on implementation of the ceasefire framework, including arrangements governing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while broader talks on other provisions of the agreement are expected to continue.

The talks follow a weekend agreement by Washington and Tehran to halt attacks and resume negotiations after both sides accused the other of violating the June 17 memorandum of understanding intended to end the conflict. Under that agreement, Iran committed to facilitate commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz while the United States agreed to lift its blockade of Iranian ports.

Whether negotiators can keep technical channels functioning may prove as important to the durability of the agreement as developments on the battlefield.

Inside institutions

International Telecommunication Union — AI governance moves into implementation

The ITU’s Joint Coordination Activity on Artificial Intelligence convenes Monday in Geneva.

The meeting brings together experts working across technical standards, governance frameworks and policy coordination. While public attention often focuses on AI regulation, much of the practical work now involves standards-setting, interoperability and institutional coordination among governments, companies and international organizations.

United Nations Trade and Development Commission — Development under pressure

The sixteenth session of the Trade and Development Commission opens at the Palais des Nations in Geneva this week.

Delegates will examine trade, development financing, economic resilience and structural challenges facing developing countries. The discussions come as many developing countries face the difficult task of financing development while coping with debt pressures, trade disruptions and rising demands for investment in energy, infrastructure and technology.

Human Rights Council — Multiple crises compete for attention

The Human Rights Council continues its sixty-second session in Geneva.

Monday’s agenda includes discussions on Venezuela, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Belarus, Myanmar and Nicaragua, highlighting the breadth of simultaneous crises confronting the international human rights system.

Security Council watch

The Security Council meets Monday morning on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

Council members are expected to receive updates on Gaza, implementation of existing Council resolutions, settlement activity in the West Bank and broader efforts to sustain diplomatic progress. The discussion comes amid continuing debate over reconstruction, governance and long-term security arrangements.

Congo assumes the Council presidency on July 1.

The council also is likely to negotiate a Panama-authored draft presidential statement on cooperation between the Council and the Organization of American States, and to begin negotiations on a draft resolution, initiated by Greece, on the impact of digital technologies on violations against children in armed conflict.

Across regions

Portugal — Climate migration research broadens

Researchers gather this week at the World Congress of Environmental and Resource Economists in Carcavelos, Portugal.

Among the notable discussions, IIASA researchers will present new work arguing that climate migration research must move beyond identifying climate drivers of migration and focus more directly on adaptation, resilience and policy responses.

New research presented at the conference finds that simultaneous exposure to drought and violent conflict can nearly double migration aspirations, from an average of 23% to 45%, underscoring the importance of understanding compound risks rather than treating climate and security challenges separately.

European Union — Science diplomacy enters implementation

European diplomats continue adjusting to the newly adopted E.U. Framework for Science Diplomacy.

The framework reflects a growing effort to treat international scientific cooperation as a strategic foreign-policy tool while balancing research openness, economic competitiveness and security concerns.

Geneva — Marine biotechnology and sustainable development

The U.N. Global Seaweed Initiative holds its annual meeting this week, examining how marine biotechnology, scientific research and ocean governance can support economic development, food systems and climate resilience.

Signals

• Switzerland’s glaciers are beginning to reveal not only the pace of climate change but also its consequences for water systems.

• AI governance discussions are shifting from principles and declarations toward standards, coordination and implementation.

• Climate migration research is focusing more heavily on compound risks involving conflict, adaptation and resilience.

• Governments are devoting greater attention to how scientific and technical expertise is incorporated into security, migration and technology governance.

On the calendar

June 29 — ITU Joint Coordination Activity on Artificial Intelligence (Geneva)

Experts meet to coordinate standards, governance approaches and international cooperation related to artificial intelligence. → Information

June 29–30 — Fourth High-Level Conference of Heads of Counterterrorism Agencies (New York) → Overview

June 29–July 3 — Trade and Development Commission (Geneva)

Governments examine trade, development and economic resilience challenges. → Agenda

June 29–July 3 — U.N. Global Seaweed Initiative Annual Meeting

Researchers and policymakers discuss marine biotechnology, sustainability and climate resilience. → Overview

July 1–2 — Climate Change and Migration Sessions, World Congress of Environmental and Resource Economists (Portugal)

Researchers present new findings on climate migration, adaptation and compound risks. → Program

July 2 — UNIDIR: Due Diligence in Cyberspace (Geneva)

Discussion on how principles of state responsibility are being interpreted in cyberspace and international law. → Agenda

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Issue No. 10 | Monday, June 22, 2026

Good morning,

Welcome to The Science Diplomat Playbook, your Monday morning guide to what’s shaping the week ahead in global science diplomacy.

The lead

Implementation is becoming one of the defining challenges of international diplomacy.

At Switzerland’s Bürgenstock resort, U.S. and Iranian negotiators have moved from ceasefire negotiations to implementation diplomacy. U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf opened talks on Sunday aimed at translating last week’s memorandum of understanding into operational arrangements covering nuclear oversight, sanctions relief, regional security and maritime access.

Technical working groups were established during the opening round of talks, which concluded early Monday after more than a day of negotiations. Mediators Qatar and Pakistan said the parties had agreed to a roadmap toward a final agreement within 60 days, while technical discussions are expected to continue this week.

The challenge now is turning a preliminary political agreement into a durable implementation framework. Switzerland, which is facilitating the talks alongside Pakistan and Qatar, said discussions are focused on translating the memorandum into “concrete and operational steps.” The International Atomic Energy Agency is preparing for technical discussions on verification, while negotiators continue to wrestle with disputes involving Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz.

The same implementation challenge appears elsewhere on this week’s international agenda. WHO is convening governments and technical experts to advance digital health standards. Delegates under the Basel Convention are returning to questions of plastic waste, e-waste and cross-border waste controls. Parties to the Aarhus Convention are reviewing compliance with commitments on environmental information, participation and justice.

Much of the international system is increasingly focused on what happens after agreements are reached. Institutions are being asked to build the standards, verification systems, reporting mechanisms and compliance structures that turn political commitments into operational arrangements.

Inside institutions

International Atomic Energy Agency — Verification after Bürgenstock

The first round of implementation talks concluded early Monday at the Bürgenstock, with technical discussions expected to continue this week.

The IAEA is expected to play a central role in future verification arrangements. Director General Rafael Grossi said in Geneva last week that the agency was preparing to begin technical discussions with both governments, describing implementation as the next critical phase.

Much of the discussion is expected to focus on Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and the verification mechanisms needed to ensure that any future agreement can be monitored and enforced. While negotiators have not disclosed what arrangements are under consideration, any lasting settlement would depend heavily on inspection access, monitoring and verification.

The talks also arrive amid continuing disputes over Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz, illustrating how quickly implementation challenges can emerge even after a political agreement has been reached.

World Health Organization — Building digital health infrastructure

WHO hosts the third Global Initiative on Digital Health Convening in Geneva from June 22–24 under the theme of building resilient health systems through digital foundations, learning and partnerships.

Governments, development agencies, technical experts and private-sector participants will discuss interoperability, standards, digital public infrastructure and health-system transformation.

The discussions reflect growing recognition that digital governance increasingly depends on shared standards and technical frameworks rather than formal treaties alone.

Basel Convention — Waste governance and implementation

Delegates meet in Geneva this week for the fifteenth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention.

The agenda includes plastic waste, e-waste, used textiles, mercury waste, waste batteries and customs cooperation. While highly technical, the discussions affect how countries manage growing environmental and trade disputes involving cross-border waste flows.

The meeting follows compliance discussions concluded last week under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, highlighting the increasing importance of compliance and reporting systems across environmental governance.

Aarhus Convention — Environmental rights under pressure

Parties to the Aarhus Convention gather in Geneva from June 24–26 to review implementation of commitments related to access to information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters.

Delegates are also expected to discuss resource constraints, compliance procedures and longer-term planning for the convention’s future work.

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons — Building scientific security networks

A week after the OPCW and the U.N. Office for Disarmament Affairs launched a new partnership focused on chemical and biological security, attention is shifting toward implementation.

Twenty-five scientists from twenty-four countries recently completed training designed to strengthen links between research communities and international security institutions. The initiative reflects a growing effort to embed scientific expertise directly within non-proliferation and disarmament frameworks.

Security Council watch

The Security Council is expected to continue closely monitoring developments related to Iran, Lebanon and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Although the current negotiations are taking place outside the Council framework, questions surrounding sanctions relief, nuclear verification and future international guarantees could eventually return to the Security Council if negotiations progress toward a broader settlement.

Council members are also expected to follow developments in Syria, Ukraine and Sudan this week, while scheduled meetings include debates on children and armed conflict, peacekeeper accountability and several peace operations mandates.

Across regions

Geneva Science Diplomacy Week — Science diplomacy examines implementation

Geneva Science Diplomacy Week begins Monday, bringing together diplomats, scientists, policymakers and institutional leaders across Geneva’s international ecosystem.

The invitation-only program focuses on anticipatory governance, emerging technologies, science advice and the growing role of scientific expertise in international decision-making.

Africa — Cyber diplomacy gains momentum

DiploFoundation hosts an online discussion on June 24 examining developments in African cyber diplomacy.

The discussion will explore African Union initiatives, digital sovereignty efforts, cybersecurity cooperation and national cyber strategies across the continent.

Middle East — Diplomacy enters a technical phase

Whether negotiators can translate broad commitments into operational arrangements on nuclear verification, sanctions relief, maritime access and regional security may determine the trajectory of the wider process over the coming weeks.

Signals

• The Bürgenstock talks have moved the U.S.-Iran process into an implementation phase where technical arrangements may matter more than political declarations.

• Verification, standards and compliance systems are becoming central instruments of international governance.

• Scientific expertise is increasingly being embedded directly into security, environmental and technology governance frameworks.

On the calendar

June 22–24 — WHO Global Initiative on Digital Health Convening (Geneva)

Governments, technical experts and development partners meet to discuss digital health standards, interoperability and health-system transformation. → Information

June 22–26 — Geneva Science Diplomacy Week (Geneva)

Practitioners, diplomats and researchers meet across Geneva institutions to examine anticipatory governance, emerging technologies and the future role of science in international decision-making. → Private agenda

June 23 — At a Crossroads: Worker Voice and the Future of Workplace Technology (Online)

ILO webinar examining AI governance, algorithmic management and worker participation in technology decisions. → Registration

June 23–26 — Basel Convention Open-ended Working Group (Geneva)

Delegates advance negotiations on plastic waste, e-waste, used textiles, mercury waste and related implementation issues. → Documents

June 24 — Developments in Africa Cyber Diplomacy (Online)

DiploFoundation discussion on African cyber diplomacy initiatives and regional digital governance. → Registration

June 24–26 — Aarhus Convention Working Group of the Parties (Geneva)

Governments review implementation of environmental rights commitments and discuss future priorities. → Agenda

Closing

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Issue No. 9 | Monday, June 15, 2026

Good morning,

Welcome to The Science Diplomat Playbook, your Monday morning guide to what’s shaping the week ahead in global science diplomacy.

The lead

From nuclear verification to military AI, governments are relying on scientific expertise, inspections and monitoring to manage political disputes.

As G7 leaders gather in Évian-les-Bains, attention is focused on a newly announced U.S.-Iran framework agreement that could reduce tensions over Iran's nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the agreement on Sunday as "a critical step towards the peaceful settlement of the conflict." While many details remain unresolved, diplomats, inspectors and nuclear experts are assessing the implications of last week's International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, where safeguards, verification and Iran's nuclear material were among the central issues under discussion.

The emerging agreement leaves unresolved some of the most difficult questions surrounding Iran's nuclear activities. Any lasting arrangement would depend heavily on verification, monitoring and access arrangements capable of establishing confidence among governments that remain deeply divided on the issue.

In Geneva, governments, military officials and technical experts are meeting under U.N. auspices to discuss artificial intelligence in the military domain. The informal exchanges, convened by the U.N. Office for Disarmament Affairs, are part of a General Assembly process examining how military AI should be governed before new technologies outpace existing rules and institutions.

The week’s agenda points to a recurring feature of international affairs: political agreements often depend on institutions capable of establishing facts, monitoring compliance and evaluating technical claims.

Inside institutions

International Atomic Energy Agency — Verification after Vienna

The IAEA Board of Governors concluded its June meeting on Friday after discussions on Iran, Syria, North Korea, Ukraine and AUKUS. The emerging U.S.-Iran framework places renewed attention on verification, monitoring and inspector access, areas where the Agency would be expected to play a central role should negotiations progress toward a broader nuclear agreement.

United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs — Military AI enters a new phase

Governments convene in Geneva for three days of informal exchanges on artificial intelligence in the military domain and its implications for international peace and security. Mandated by the General Assembly, the discussions are intended to clarify concepts, identify areas of convergence and inform future negotiations on military AI and autonomous weapons systems.

The exchanges take place alongside broader international efforts to establish rules and norms for military AI, including ongoing discussions under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons on lethal autonomous weapons systems.

World Health Organization — Ebola preparedness and response

WHO continues coordinating the international response to the Ebola outbreak affecting Congo and Uganda, including implementation of the joint WHO–Africa CDC response plan.

United Nations Human Rights Council — Twenty years after reform

The Human Rights Council opens a new session in Geneva as the U.N.’s principal human rights body marks two decades since replacing the former Commission on Human Rights in 2006. The anniversary comes amid continued debate over accountability, state sovereignty and the effectiveness of international human rights mechanisms.

Security Council watch

Colombia continues its presidency of the United Nations Security Council with a focus on mediation, dialogue and conflict prevention.

Council members are expected to follow developments related to Iran, Ukraine, Lebanon and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. The Council will also receive a briefing on Yemen, where regional security dynamics intersect with broader discussions surrounding Iran and maritime stability.

On June 17, the Council will hold an open debate on women, peace and security under the theme “Peace is Decided with Women: Emerging from Conflict by Enhancing Their Participation.”

As the secretary-general race gathers momentum, questions of nuclear verification remain at the center of international diplomacy. Following last week's candidates' debate in Geneva and Monday's General Assembly dialogue with María Fernanda Espinosa, contenders are entering a period of greater public scrutiny as they seek to distinguish their visions for the future of the United Nations.

Across regions

G7 Summit — Diplomacy under pressure

Leaders of the Group of Seven meet in Évian-les-Bains amid discussions surrounding Iran, energy security, Ukraine, artificial intelligence and global economic stability. Any movement toward a U.S.-Iran understanding is likely to shape conversations throughout the summit.

Climate diplomacy — Bonn enters its final week

Negotiators continue work at the Bonn climate meetings ahead of COP31 in Antalya. Discussions on adaptation, implementation and the future direction of the climate regime are expected to intensify as delegates move toward the conclusion of the session.

Europe — Science diplomacy examines itself

Researchers, practitioners and policymakers gather in Aarhus for a conference on the future of science diplomacy, with sessions addressing geopolitics, research security, public engagement, space governance and international scientific cooperation. The meeting reflects a broader debate about how the field is adapting to technological change, geopolitical competition and shifting patterns of global cooperation.

Signals

• Verification remains central to efforts to manage nuclear risks and sustain diplomatic agreements.

• Military AI moves from expert discussions into formal multilateral processes.

• Technical institutions are central to how governments manage disputes involving security, technology and global risks.

On the calendar

June 15 — U.N. General Assembly interactive dialogue with María Fernanda Espinosa (New York)

The former president of the General Assembly and former foreign minister of Ecuador presents her vision for the United Nations and answers questions from member states and civil society as part of the formal process to select the next secretary-general. The session follows last week’s public candidates’ debate in Geneva and offers another opportunity to compare competing visions for the future of multilateralism. → Watch

June 15–17 — U.N. informal exchanges on artificial intelligence in the military domain (Geneva)

Governments, international organizations, industry, researchers and civil society gather under a General Assembly mandate to discuss military AI and international security. The meetings represent one of the most significant efforts yet to establish common concepts and governance frameworks ahead of future U.N. and autonomous weapons negotiations. → Background

June 15–17 — G7 Summit (Évian-les-Bains, France)

Leaders of the Group of Seven meet amid continuing uncertainty over Iran, Ukraine, global trade and economic security. The summit opens one day after the United Nations welcomed a newly announced U.S.-Iran framework agreement that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reduce regional tensions. → Agenda

June 15–18 — UNHCR Standing Committee (Geneva)

The U.N. refugee agency’s Standing Committee reviews operational, financial and protection challenges facing one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations as displacement remains near historic highs. → Schedule

June 16–17 — Rethinking Science Diplomacy Conference (Aarhus, Denmark)

Researchers and practitioners examine how science diplomacy is evolving in response to artificial intelligence, geopolitical competition, research security and changing global power dynamics. → Program

June 17 — U.N. Security Council debate on women, peace and security (New York)

Council members and U.N. member states discuss women’s participation in conflict prevention, peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery under Colombia’s presidency of the Security Council. → Background

June 17–19 — ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment (New York)

Governments, U.N. agencies and humanitarian organizations, including the ICRC, discuss humanitarian financing, protection challenges and coordination in an increasingly complex crisis environment. → Background

June 18 — Rafael Grossi on the future of multilateral organizations (Geneva)

The IAEA director general and declared candidate for U.N. secretary-general reflects on leadership, international organizations and multilateral cooperation. The campaign to succeed António Guterres is picking up speed and questions of nuclear verification remain at the center of international diplomacy. → Program

June 18 — Bonn climate meetings conclude (Bonn, Germany)

Negotiators wrap up the mid-year U.N. climate talks, offering an early indication of priorities, fault lines and expectations heading into COP31 in Antalya, Turkey. → Schedule

Closing

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Issue No. 8 | Monday, June 8, 2026

Good morning,

Welcome to The Science Diplomat Playbook, your Monday morning guide to what’s shaping the week ahead in global science diplomacy.

The lead

Scientific verification is taking on added importance in international security as governments turn to technical institutions to manage political disputes.

The International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors convenes in Vienna this week with Iran, Ukraine, Syria, North Korea and AUKUS all on the agenda. The meeting brings together diplomats, nuclear experts and regulators at a moment when some of the world’s most sensitive security questions depend on scientific monitoring, technical verification and international inspection systems.

The agenda includes safeguards implementation in Iran and Syria, nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, safeguards questions surrounding AUKUS and the IAEA's annual review of global safeguards activities. Iran's cooperation with international inspectors and the status of its nuclear material are expected to be among the most closely watched issues.

While political disagreements often dominate headlines, the Board’s work highlights a broader reality: many international security disputes now rely on scientific expertise to establish facts, monitor compliance and build confidence among governments.

Similar dynamics are emerging elsewhere across the multilateral system. The United Nations will hold a high-level debate on wildlife trafficking and environmental crime. The World Trade Organization will continue discussions on plastics pollution and sustainable plastics trade. Climate negotiators meeting in Bonn will focus on adaptation and implementation ahead of COP31.

The discussions illustrate how technical expertise increasingly shapes decisions traditionally associated with diplomacy, trade and security.

Inside institutions

International Atomic Energy Agency — Nuclear verification and international security

The IAEA Board of Governors meets in Vienna through June 12 with safeguards implementation in Iran, Syria and North Korea among the most closely watched agenda items. Nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, technical cooperation activities and safeguards questions related to AUKUS are also expected to feature prominently in discussions.

World Health Organization — Ebola response enters a new phase

WHO hosts a global webinar this week on the Ebola outbreak affecting Congo and Uganda, providing an update on the Bundibugyo strain, border health measures and preparedness efforts. The event follows the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and continued implementation of the joint WHO–Africa CDC response plan.

United Nations — Environmental crime moves up the agenda

The General Assembly holds a high-level debate on preventing and combating wildlife trafficking and other crimes affecting the environment. The discussion reflects growing concern about the links between environmental degradation, organized crime, biodiversity loss and sustainable development.

World Trade Organization — Plastics negotiations continue

Trade officials meet in Geneva for discussions on plastics pollution and environmentally sustainable plastics trade. The dialogue forms part of broader efforts to connect trade policy with environmental objectives and sustainable production systems.

Security Council watch

Colombia continues its presidency of the United Nations Security Council with an emphasis on mediation, climate-related security risks and multilateral diplomacy.

Council members are expected to follow developments related to Iran, Lebanon, Ukraine and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. The Council will also receive a briefing on Iran under its nonproliferation agenda, linking diplomatic debates in New York with safeguards discussions taking place simultaneously at the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna.

In Geneva, several declared candidates for secretary-general will participate in one of the most visible public debates of the leadership contest to date.

Across regions

Climate diplomacy — Bonn meetings continue

Negotiators and experts meeting in Bonn will focus on climate adaptation, implementation of National Adaptation Plans and preparations for COP31 in Antalya, Turkey. Several discussions this week will examine how countries translate climate commitments into practical policy measures.

Asia-Pacific — Trade facilitation and digital cooperation

The Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum and Paperless Trade Week convene in Bangkok, bringing together policymakers, international organizations and technical experts to discuss digital trade systems, customs modernization and regional economic integration.

Europe — Women, peace and security

The Council of Europe hosts its annual Gender Equality Commission conference in Strasbourg, focusing on women’s participation in conflict resolution, peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery.

Signals

• Scientific verification is becoming central to international security governance.

• Environmental issues are being framed as questions of security, trade and international cooperation.

• The contest to succeed António Guterres is attracting greater public attention as candidates outline competing visions for the future of multilateralism.

On the calendar

June 8–12 — IAEA Board of Governors (Vienna)

The Board usually meets in March and June, twice in September, and in November. → Background

June 8 — U.N. General Assembly debate on wildlife trafficking and environmental crime (New York)

Organizers say the debate aims to raise awareness on the scale and complexity of crimes that affect the environment. → Watch

June 8 — Immersive new ‘Portail des Nations’ multilateralism center opens to the public

Years in the making, the new center on the grounds of the Palais des Nations in Geneva combines multimedia storytelling, negotiation simulations and interactive exhibits. → Details

June 8–12 — International Labor Conference (Geneva)

Delegates from the ILO’s 187 member nations conclude meetings on AI, platform work, social dialogue and gender equality in the world of work. → Program

June 8–18 — UNFCCC climate meetings (Bonn)

Mitigation, adaptation, finance, technology and capacity-building are up for discussions as nations prepare for COP 31 at Antalya in November. → Schedule

June 9 — WHO webinar: Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease: what we know (Virtual)

This webinar with WHO officials will aim to explain why the outbreak is significant, WHO’s recommendations for dealing with it, and the rationale behind them. → Program

June 9 — Secretary-General candidates debate (Geneva)

The Geneva Graduate Institute will host a debate organised by GWL Voices, in partnership with the U.N. Foundation, featuring candidates for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. → Program

June 9 — Fourth International Conference on Environmental Peacebuilding (Ottawa, Ontario)

A free day of virtual talks is offered ahead of the in-person conference at the University of Ottawa from June 16-19, 2026. → Program

June 10–18 — U.N. Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (Vienna)

Lunar governance, space traffic coordination and the long-term sustainability of space activities are on the agenda. → Program

Closing

You’re reading The Science Diplomat Playbook, a weekly briefing mapping global science diplomacy.

Issue No. 7 | Monday, June 1, 2026

Good morning,

Welcome to The Science Diplomat Playbook, your Monday morning guide to what’s shaping the week ahead in global science diplomacy.

The lead

Artificial intelligence is moving beyond technology policy and into the institutions that govern work, development and international cooperation.

The shift is on display this week in Geneva, where delegates from governments, employers and workers are gathering for the 114th International Labor Conference. Discussions on artificial intelligence and platform work are expected to feature prominently as the International Labor Organization examines how technological change is reshaping employment, productivity and economic security.

Similar questions are surfacing elsewhere across the multilateral system. The United Nations is convening Behavioral Science Week, while the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia is hosting a regional forum on science and technology diplomacy focused on linking scientific expertise with sustainable development and public policy.

The ILO conference opens with Director-General Gilbert Houngbo’s report, A Moment of Choice: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Decent Work, which argues that the effects of AI will depend less on technology itself than on the institutions governing it. The report warns that AI could widen existing inequalities between countries and workers if international cooperation, skills development and labor protections fail to keep pace with technological change.

The report also highlights growing international concern over AI governance, arguing that no country can manage many of the technology’s risks alone and that cooperation will be necessary to prevent widening digital divides and a race to the bottom in labor standards.

The growing role of universities and research networks remains another defining feature of the science diplomacy landscape. Last week’s EUTOPIA Science Diplomacy Global Conference in Brussels emphasized efforts to move beyond research cooperation and engage more directly with international policy discussions.

This week’s agenda reflects how governments increasingly rely on scientific expertise not only to understand global problems but to help govern them.

Inside institutions

World Health Organization — Ebola response enters a critical phase

WHO and Africa CDC are scaling up efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak affecting Congo and Uganda under a joint Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan released last week. Over the weekend, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited Bunia, the capital of Congo’s Ituri Province, as health officials work to expand testing, treatment capacity and community outreach in conflict-affected areas.

On-the-ground plans for the week involve deploying more epidemiologists, clinicians, logisticians and risk communication specialists to conflict-affected zones in Congo. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola for which no approved vaccine exists, is also becoming a test of international coordination as WHO, Africa CDC and partner organizations seek more funding, support clinical research and push back against border closures that could complicate containment efforts.

United Nations system — Behavioral science enters policy discussions

U.N. Behavioral Science Week brings together officials, researchers and practitioners to examine how behavioral evidence can inform policymaking, public services and international development programs.

Security Council watch

Colombia begins its month-long presidency of the United Nations Security Council with an agenda emphasizing multilateral diplomacy, climate-related security risks, mediation and protection of civilians. Colombian officials also highlighted the implications of emerging technologies, including cybersecurity and AI-generated disinformation.

This week’s schedule includes discussions on threats to international peace and security following reports that a Russian drone carrying explosives entered Romanian airspace, as well as a separate meeting on developments in Lebanon.

The agenda highlights how traditional security questions are increasingly intersecting with broader concerns involving climate resilience, emerging technologies and international cooperation.

The broader U.N. system also turns its attention to leadership and governance questions this week with the election of the president of the 81st General Assembly, the selection of five new non-permanent Security Council members and continuing discussions about the process for choosing the next secretary-general.

Across regions

Africa-Europe innovation cooperation

The IST-Africa 2026 Conference continues this week, bringing together policymakers, researchers, industry representatives and international organizations to examine innovation policy, digital transformation and implementation of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda.

Asia-Pacific open science cooperation and science diplomacy education

UNESCO hosts the latest session of its “Open Science: From the UNESCO Recommendation to Reality in Asia and the Pacific” dialogue series this week, bringing together policymakers, researchers and international organizations to examine implementation of regional approaches to open science, data sharing and scientific cooperation.

Separately, the Asia-Europe Foundation and partner institutions continue preparations following last month’s Science Diplomacy Education Symposium, which examined how universities are training future science diplomacy practitioners.

Science journalism and public trust

Researchers and journalists gather in Austria this week for a discussion hosted by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, the Institute of Science and Technology Austria and the Complexity Science Hub examining the role of science journalism in maintaining accuracy, context and public trust amid increasingly complex policy challenges.

Signals

Artificial intelligence is becoming a multilateral governance issue

International organizations are increasingly treating AI as a question of labor standards, economic development, social protection and international cooperation rather than solely technology policy.

Universities are seeking a larger diplomatic role

Research institutions are becoming more active participants in international policy discussions, particularly around sustainability, security and scientific cooperation.

Science advice is becoming a governance tool

From behavioral science and climate resilience to labor policy and international security, institutions are increasingly seeking ways to integrate scientific expertise into decision-making processes.

On the calendar

June 1–12 — International Labor Conference (Geneva)

Delegates from the ILO’s 187 member nations meet to discuss artificial intelligence, platform work, social dialogue and gender equality in the world of work. → Program

June 1–5 — U.N. Behavioral Science Week (Virtual)

Officials, researchers and practitioners examine how behavioral science can inform public policy and international development. → Program

June 2 — Election of the President of the 81st U.N. General Assembly (New York)
Member nations elect the president of the next General Assembly session and vote on vice presidents and committee officers. The presidency rotates this year to the Asia-Pacific Group. → Details

June 3 — U.N. General Assembly election for Security Council seats (New York)

Member nations elect five new non-permanent members of the Security Council. → Details

June 4 — UNESCO Open Science Dialogue (Virtual)
Policymakers, researchers and international organizations discuss implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science across Asia and the Pacific. → Details

June 4 — Security Council briefing on Syria chemical weapons file (New York)

The Council receives an update on the status of Syria’s chemical weapons obligations. → Details

June 5 — UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Program Council (Paris)

The Council's 27th session concludes with discussions on international cooperation in water science, water resources management and capacity building. → Details

Closing

You’re reading The Science Diplomat Playbook, a weekly briefing mapping global science diplomacy.

Issue No. 6 | Monday, May 25, 2026

Good morning,

Welcome to The Science Diplomat Playbook, your Monday morning guide to what’s shaping the week ahead in global science diplomacy.

The lead

As major multilateral negotiations stall, universities and research networks are moving more visibly into the space between science and geopolitics.

This week’s science diplomacy agenda shifts toward Brussels, where the EUTOPIA European University Alliance will convene academics, diplomats and policymakers Friday for a conference titled “Science Diplomacy in Turbulent Times,” focused on research security, multilateral cooperation and the growing political role of universities. The meeting is expected to conclude with the signing of the Brussels Statement on the Role of Universities in Science Diplomacy.

The gathering comes days after two major international negotiations ended without resolving some of the central disputes confronting global governance.

The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty review conference concluded late Friday without a consensus final document for the third consecutive review cycle amid disputes over disarmament, Iran and strategic stability.

In a statement issued after the NPT conference ended, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres expressed disappointment that governments had failed “to seize this critical opportunity to make our world safer.”

WHO member nations concluded the World Health Assembly on Saturday afternoon after approving measures on antimicrobial resistance, health financing and emergency preparedness, while delegates continued debating the future of pandemic cooperation and WHO funding.

Together, the meetings reinforced how difficult consensus-building has become inside institutions designed to manage nuclear governance, global health and scientific cooperation during periods of political tension.

Against that backdrop, universities and research alliances are increasingly positioning themselves not only as participants in international scientific exchange, but as institutions involved more directly in questions of security, technology policy and international coordination.

Questions surrounding infrastructure security and international coordination are also expected to shape discussions this week at the United Nations Security Council, where governments will debate maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, the future of the U.N.-centered international system and continuing instability linked to Iran and regional shipping routes.

Inside institutions

World Health Organization — Post-WHA implementation begins under financial strain

WHO member nations begin implementing decisions adopted during the World Health Assembly on antimicrobial resistance, health financing and emergency preparedness as the organization continues restructuring operations following major budget shortfalls and staff reductions.

International Atomic Energy Agency / NPT regime — Nuclear diplomacy faces another deadlock

Diplomatic fallout continues after the deadlocked Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty review conference, where governments again failed to agree on a final document amid disputes surrounding Iran, disarmament and strategic stability.

European research governance — Open science debates move into funding and sovereignty questions

Meetings connected to the European Open Science Cloud this week are expected to focus on governance structures, long-term funding models and the future of European digital research infrastructure after 2027.

Security Council watch

The United Nations Security Council, meeting under China’s month-long presidency, is focusing this week on institutional legitimacy, multilateral coordination and broader questions surrounding international order.

China’s signature event for the month is Tuesday’s high-level debate on strengthening the U.N.-centered international system, chaired by Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The debate is titled “Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the U.N. Charter and Strengthening the U.N.-centered International System,” with Guterres expected to brief.

Council members are also continuing to monitor developments linked to Iran, maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and the broader regional consequences of instability affecting Gulf shipping routes and nuclear diplomacy.

Additional discussions this week include South Sudan sanctions, North Korea sanctions enforcement, peacekeeper security and continued monitoring of Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian and critical infrastructure.

Across regions

Belgium / EUTOPIA Alliance — Universities position themselves within diplomacy

The EUTOPIA European University Alliance convenes “Science Diplomacy in Turbulent Times” on Friday at Fondation Universitaire in Brussels, bringing together academics, diplomats and policymakers to examine research security, multilateralism and the role of universities in international governance.

Africa-Europe innovation agenda — IST-Africa conference convenes policymakers and researchers

The IST-Africa 2026 Conference begins this week with government officials, researchers and industry representatives discussing digital inclusion, research cooperation and innovation policy linked to the African Union-European Union Innovation Agenda and Horizon Europe Africa Initiative.

International Science Council — Scientific advice and foresight initiatives continue

The International Science Council’s regional foresight sessions for Latin America and the Caribbean continue this week with discussions focused on scientific advice, institutional trust and long-term policy planning.

Signals

Universities are becoming more visible diplomatic actors

Research alliances and academic networks are taking on a more explicit international role as governments look to universities to support coordination, technical cooperation and policy development.

Research governance is moving closer to national strategy

Debates surrounding open science, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and research security are becoming more closely connected to questions of economic resilience, infrastructure protection and national policy.

Multilateral institutions continue operating despite weakening consensus

From WHO and the NPT regime to Security Council diplomacy, international institutions are continuing to function even as political divisions make agreement increasingly difficult.

On the calendar

May 25–29 — IST-Africa 2026 Conference (Virtual)
Ministerial discussions and research sessions focused on AU-EU innovation cooperation, digital inclusion and technology policy. → Program

May 26 — U.N. Security Council debate on multilateralism (New York)
China chairs a high-level debate on strengthening the U.N.-centered international system. → Webcast

May 28–29 — EOSC-A 13th General Assembly (Brussels)
Meetings focused on governance and future funding models for European open science infrastructure. → Program

May 29 — “Science Diplomacy in Turbulent Times” (Brussels)
EUTOPIA conference examining research security, multilateralism and the role of universities in diplomacy. → Program

May 29 — Signing of the Brussels Statement on the Role of Universities in Science Diplomacy (Brussels)
European university leaders and policymakers are expected to endorse a joint statement on academic cooperation and diplomacy. → Background

Closing

You’re reading The Science Diplomat Playbook, a weekly briefing mapping global science diplomacy.

Issue No. 5 | Monday, May 18, 2026

Good morning,

Welcome to The Science Diplomat Playbook, your Monday morning guide to what’s shaping the week ahead in global science diplomacy.

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Issue No. 4 | Monday, May 11, 2026

Good morning,

Welcome to The Science Diplomat …

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Issue No. 3 | Monday, May 4, 2026

Good morning,

Welcome to The Science Diplomat Playbook, your Monday morning guide to what’s shaping the week ahead in global science diplomacy.

Read more

Issue No. 2 | Monday, April 27, 2026

Good morning,

Welcome to The Science Diplomat Playbook, your Monday morning guide to what’s shaping the week ahead in…

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Issue No. 1 | Monday, April 20, 2026

Good morning,

Welcome to the first edition of The Science Diplomat Playbook, your Monday morning guide to what’s shaping the week ahead in global scie…

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