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.

The lead

The World Health Assembly opens this week under the shadow of Ebola and strain on global health cooperation.

The World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak affecting Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on Sunday, elevating the crisis just as health ministers, diplomats and scientific advisers arrive in Geneva for the 79th World Health Assembly, WHO’s governing body. The designation is the organization’s highest level of global alarm short of a pandemic emergency.

The outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, has added urgency to an assembly already expected to focus heavily on pandemic preparedness, financing and implementation of last year’s Pandemic Agreement. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, there are no approved vaccines or targeted treatments for the Bundibugyo variant, increasing pressure on governments, researchers and international health agencies to coordinate surveillance, diagnostics and research efforts under difficult conditions.

The emergency also arrives at an awkward moment for global health governance. WHO member nations failed to finalize key elements of the Pandemic Agreement’s Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) framework after disputes over intellectual property, technology transfer and access to medical countermeasures delayed consensus. The Pandemic Agreement itself was adopted at last year’s World Health Assembly and was presented as a major achievement for multilateral health diplomacy after the COVID-19 pandemic. But the treaty’s operational framework still depends on a separate agreement governing how countries share biological samples, pathogen data, vaccines and other medical countermeasures during outbreaks. WHO member nations are now expected to extend those negotiations into 2027 as technical and political disagreements remain unresolved.

Those tensions are likely to shape discussions throughout the assembly. Developing countries continue to push for stronger guarantees that scientific data and pathogen samples shared during outbreaks will lead to equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. Wealthier countries and pharmaceutical interests remain cautious about provisions affecting intellectual property, manufacturing and mandatory benefit-sharing obligations.

WHO has already released emergency funding and advised governments against border closures or trade restrictions, warning that such measures can push outbreaks into less visible and harder-to-monitor channels. At the same time, the organization is expected to convene an International Health Regulations emergency committee to refine recommendations as cases spread from remote areas into major urban centers including Kampala and Kinshasa.

The outbreak is also triggering parallel layers of regional and international coordination. Africa CDC said on Sunday it is considering whether to declare a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security, a mechanism reserved for cross-border threats affecting multiple African Union member nations. The agency has already convened representatives from affected countries, donor governments, U.N. agencies, pharmaceutical companies and humanitarian organizations to coordinate surveillance, laboratory systems, logistics and cross-border response efforts.

Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya also announced he would cut short his participation at the World Health Assembly in Geneva to return to affected countries, underscoring how outbreak governance operates simultaneously through national, regional and global institutions.

The assembly also opens under broader political strain surrounding the future of international health cooperation itself. The United States and Argentina have withdrawn from WHO even as recent outbreaks continue to demonstrate the dependence of disease surveillance, diagnostics and emergency coordination on cross-border scientific cooperation.

The outbreak, stalled pandemic negotiations and the withdrawals of the United States and Argentina from WHO expose new strains on the institutions that underpin global health cooperation. As health ministers gather in Geneva this week, the central question is not only how to contain the Ebola outbreak, but whether the international systems designed to coordinate surveillance, research and emergency response can function effectively during a major cross-border health crisis.

Inside institutions

World Health Organization — WHA79 opens amid outbreak diplomacy

Health ministers, diplomats and scientific advisers from 194 member nations gather in Geneva this week as WHO members confront unresolved negotiations over the Pandemic Agreement’s pathogen-sharing framework alongside mounting political strain surrounding the future of international health cooperation.

Africa CDC — Continental emergency coordination intensifies

Africa CDC is weighing whether to declare a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security as Ebola spreads across borders in Central and East Africa. The agency has activated regional coordination mechanisms involving governments, U.N. agencies, donors and pharmaceutical companies while emphasizing African-led preparedness and response architecture.

United Nations system — AI governance moves toward operational coordination

Preparatory consultations continue this week for the inaugural U.N. Global Dialogue on AI Governance as governments and stakeholders move from broad principles toward questions involving implementation, coordination and institutional oversight.

Peace Research Institute Oslo — European resilience debates widen

PRIO’s European Security Week examines how shifting alliances, emerging technologies and infrastructure vulnerabilities are reshaping European security governance and strategic resilience.

Scientific institutions — Universities expand diplomacy training networks

Academic institutions and international education networks continue building formal science diplomacy training initiatives focused on preparing future diplomatic and governance leaders.

Security Council watch

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

The agenda includes a briefing on Ukraine following intensified Russian attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure, the Council’s annual debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, and discussions on Gaza, Libya and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.

The schedule reflects how humanitarian coordination, infrastructure protection and institutional resilience are increasingly intersecting across multiple U.N. processes.

Across regions

Switzerland / European Union — Water diplomacy gains strategic attention

A Swiss science briefing in Brussels this week examines water security as both a scientific and geopolitical issue, reflecting growing concern over climate pressures, resource governance and strategic infrastructure resilience.

Asia-Europe science diplomacy initiatives expand

The Science Diplomacy Education Symposium brings together educators, researchers and academic leaders to examine how universities across Asia and Europe are adapting science diplomacy training to shifting geopolitical and technological conditions.

Latin America / International Science Council — Foresight and scientific advice gain institutional focus

Virtual foresight sessions organized by the International Science Council’s regional focal point for Latin America and the Caribbean are bringing together policymakers, diplomats and researchers to examine how scientific advice, strategic foresight and evidence-based governance can be integrated more directly into public institutions.

Signals

Global health governance is being tested under real-world pressure

The Ebola emergency and postponed Pandemic Agreement negotiations are exposing unresolved tensions surrounding equity, technology transfer and institutional trust.

Scientific cooperation remains resilient despite political fragmentation

Even as governments challenge multilateral institutions politically, outbreak response and scientific coordination continue to depend heavily on international cooperation frameworks.

Strategic resilience is becoming a central diplomatic concern

From health systems and water security to AI governance and infrastructure protection, institutions are increasingly focused on resilience across interconnected systems.

On the calendar

May 18–23 — 79th World Health Assembly (Geneva)
Health ministers and diplomats convene as WHO member nations confront outbreak response, pandemic governance and health financing. → Program

Side events and parallel discussions are also expected to focus on climate-related health risks, artificial intelligence, disability equity and “One Health” approaches linking human, animal and environmental health. → Details

May 19 — Swiss Science Briefing: “Eyes on Water” (Brussels)
Swiss and European institutions examine water as a strategic scientific and geopolitical resource. → Details

May 18–22 — PRIO European Security Week (Online)
Series examining European resilience, technological change and shifting security dynamics. → Program

May 18–22 — Canada-Singapore AI + Quantum Collaboration Mission (Singapore)
Government officials and industry leaders convene alongside Asia Tech x Singapore to expand bilateral cooperation on artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. → Details

May 20 — Science Diplomacy Education Symposium (Online)
Asia-Europe forum examining how universities are training future science diplomacy practitioners and policy leaders. → Details

May 18–24 — WHO Ebola emergency coordination efforts
WHO and international partners continue response coordination following the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern linked to the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak. → Background

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Issue No. 4 | Monday, May 11, 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

Technologically interconnected systems are becoming harder for governments and institutions to ignore.

A series of meetings this week across Geneva, Cambridge and Belgrade reflects a broader shift underway in global governance: emerging technologies are no longer treated primarily as matters of innovation policy, but increasingly as issues tied to security, infrastructure resilience, public trust and geopolitical stability.

That transition is visible across multiple institutions simultaneously. Preparatory discussions ahead of the 79th World Health Assembly continue this week in Geneva after WHO member states failed to finalize key elements of the Pandemic Agreement last week. Disputes over intellectual property, technology transfer and governance of pathogen-sharing systems delayed agreement on the treaty’s Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing framework, exposing continuing tensions between developed and developing countries.

At the same time, follow-up discussions from last week’s OSCE conference on anticipatory governance are expected to focus on long-term risks linked to artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, particularly how governments assess emerging threats before governance mechanisms are fully developed.

Questions about whether governance systems can keep pace are also running through discussions surrounding digital infrastructure and cyber stability. Geneva Cyber Week follow-up meetings, preparations for World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on May 17 and the International Atomic Energy Agency’s CyberCon26 conference in Vienna are reinforcing concerns that systems underpinning communications, finance, healthcare and nuclear infrastructure have become deeply interdependent without corresponding advances in coordination or oversight.

This week’s agenda also highlights the expanding diplomatic role of universities and research institutions. On Wednesday, policymakers, diplomats and researchers will gather in Belgrade for the conference “When Science Meets Diplomacy,” focused on regional cooperation in Central and Southeastern Europe. Elsewhere, universities and academic networks are increasingly acting not only as participants in scientific cooperation, but as institutional forces within diplomatic channels.

Together, these developments point toward a deeper transformation in science diplomacy. Scientific expertise is becoming embedded more directly within negotiations over infrastructure, security, trade, public health and strategic stability. The challenge facing governments is no longer simply whether to cooperate on science and technology, but whether governance systems can adapt quickly enough to manage the political and security consequences that increasingly accompany them.

Inside institutions

World Health Organization — WHA preparations unfold amid outbreak response

WHO’s member nations are entering the final week of preparations for the 79th World Health Assembly as the organization also coordinates an international response to a multi-country hantavirus outbreak linked to maritime travel. The overlap highlights the dual role increasingly expected of global health institutions: managing immediate cross-border health threats while advancing longer-term governance agendas on pandemic preparedness, financing and health security.

United Nations system — Digital governance agenda expands

Preparations for World Telecommunication and Information Society Day are reinforcing broader U.N. efforts to frame digital infrastructure and communications systems as matters of resilience, governance and international stability rather than solely technical coordination.

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe — Anticipatory governance moves forward

Discussions following last week’s OSCE conference in Geneva continue to examine how participating nations assess emerging risks associated with artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and long-term strategic instability.

World Trade Organization — Institutional reform pressures continue

The WTO continues post-ministerial discussions over institutional reform, budget constraints and unresolved electronic commerce negotiations amid broader pressure on multilateral economic institutions to adapt to technological and geopolitical change.

Security Council watch

China holds the presidency of the United Nations Security Council in May with a program emphasizing institutional legitimacy, protection of civilians and the role of the U.N. system in international security. The Council’s program for the month also includes meetings on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Libya, Syria, South Sudan and the protection of civilians in armed conflict, alongside continued discussions connected to the North Korea sanctions regime.

The schedule reflects a broader diplomatic environment in which debates over technology, security and institutional legitimacy intersect across multiple U.N. processes.

Across regions

Serbia / Central European Initiative — Science diplomacy and regional cooperation

The “When Science Meets Diplomacy” conference convenes in Belgrade on Wednesday, bringing together regional diplomats, researchers and policymakers to examine how scientific cooperation can support political dialogue and regional stability.

CASEE Conference — Agriculture and life sciences as integration policy

The 16th CASEE Conference opens this week under the theme “Next Stop Europe,” examining how agricultural and life sciences education can contribute to European integration and cross-border cooperation.

Universities and science diplomacy education

Registration continues for the upcoming Science Diplomacy Education Symposium later this month, part of a broader Asia-Europe initiative examining how universities prepare future science diplomacy practitioners and policy leaders.

Signals

Governance systems are struggling to keep pace with technological interdependence

From cyber infrastructure to pandemic preparedness, institutions are confronting risks that increasingly cut across traditional governance boundaries.

Universities are becoming more visible diplomatic actors

Academic institutions are playing a growing role in regional cooperation, policy development and international governance discussions.

Security and technology debates are converging across institutions

Issues once treated separately, ranging from digital infrastructure and AI governance to public health security and strategic stability, are increasingly being addressed within overlapping diplomatic frameworks.

On the calendar

May 11 — “Thinking in the Age of Generative AI” (Cambridge)
CRASSH hosts a roundtable examining the political, ethical and social implications of generative artificial intelligence. → Program

May 11–14 — CASEE Conference (Novi Sad)
Regional conference on agriculture, life sciences education and European integration. → Program

May 11–15 — IAEA CyberCon26 (Vienna)
International conference on computer security in the nuclear sector focused on cyber resilience and evolving digital threats to nuclear infrastructure. → Program

May 12 — U.N. Global Dialogue on AI Governance stakeholder consultation (Virtual)
The third stakeholder consultation for the inaugural U.N. Global Dialogue on AI Governance convenes governments and international stakeholders to discuss the structure, priorities and roadmap for future multilateral cooperation on artificial intelligence. → Details

May 13 — “When Science Meets Diplomacy” conference (Belgrade)
Conference on regional cooperation and science diplomacy in Central and Southeastern Europe. → Details

May 13–15 — WHO PBAC meeting (Geneva)
WHO’s Program, Budget and Administration Committee meets ahead of the World Health Assembly. → Details

May 17 — World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
Annual U.N. observance focused on digital cooperation and communications governance. → Background

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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.

The lead

The hidden risks of digital system failures are coming into view faster than the systems to manage them.

A series of meetings and reports this week in Geneva point to a growing recognition that digital systems are no longer just tools of economic activity, but foundational infrastructure whose failure could carry systemic consequences.

On Tuesday, the International Telecommunication Union, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and Sciences Po will release a joint report examining how cascading failures in digital infrastructure could disrupt economies, healthcare systems and daily life across interconnected environments — from land-based networks to undersea cables and orbital systems.

The report comes as governments and international organizations reassess how to manage a rapidly evolving digital risk landscape. Cloud computing, the concentration of data infrastructure and the integration of digital systems into critical services have increased efficiency and vulnerability, raising the prospect of more local disruptions.

Those concerns also underpin the U.N. Institute for Disarmament Research Cyber Stability Conference opening today in Geneva. The meeting comes at what participants describe as a turning point for multilateral engagement on information and communications technology security, following the conclusion of the latest U.N. negotiations over cyberspace and the launch of a new permanent body on ICT security.

Diplomats will debate how to adapt governance frameworks that are lagging behind the science and technology underpinning economic stability, public services and trust. → Read more

Inside institutions

United Nations system — Digital risk enters the policy mainstream
The joint ITU–UNDRR report formalizes a growing concern within the U.N. system: that digital infrastructure failures should be treated as systemic risks, comparable to financial or environmental shocks. A press briefing in Geneva on May 5 is expected to outline scenarios involving cascading disruptions across sectors and regions. → Read more

U.N. Institute for Disarmament Research — Cyber governance recalibrates
The Cyber Stability Conference brings together policymakers and technical experts to assess how governance frameworks are adapting to a changing threat environment shaped by artificial intelligence, quantum computing and increasingly complex cyber operations. Discussions will build on recent U.N. processes and examine how a new global mechanism on ICT security may evolve. → Read more

World Trade Organization — General Council meets under pressure
The WTO’s General Council convenes this week for the first time since the 14th Ministerial Conference, with members expected to address institutional reform, budget constraints and unresolved issues such as electronic commerce. The meeting reflects broader pressure on multilateral economic institutions to adapt to shifting geopolitical and technological conditions. → Read more

Signals

Digital infrastructure is now being treated as a systemic risk
From undersea cables to cloud platforms, the systems underpinning the global economy are increasingly interconnected and vulnerable to cascading failure.

Governance is shifting toward permanent mechanisms
Across cyber security, trade and research cooperation, countries are moving from ad hoc dialogue toward standing frameworks to manage long-term technological change.

On the calendar

May 4–5 — Cyber Stability Conference
UNIDIR convenes global experts to assess the future of cyber governance and ICT security. Background → Event page

May 5 — ITU–UNDRR digital risk report launch
New report on cascading risks in digital infrastructure to be presented at a press briefing. Watch the launch → May 5, 9:45 am EDT, U.N. Web TV

May 6–7 — WTO General Council
Members meet to address post-ministerial reform, budget pressures and ongoing negotiations. Background → Event page

May 6–7 — U.N. Science, Technology and Innovation Forum
Annual forum examining how science and technology can support progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. Forum materials → Event page

May 4–8 — Geneva Cyber Week
Annual global platform to advance international cooperation and resilience in cyberspace. Program → Conference agenda

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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 global science diplomacy.

The lead

Science, security and trust converge as nuclear diplomacy returns to center stage.

The United Nations opens the Eleventh Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons today in New York, where the treaty’s 191 member nations will meet through May 22 to assess implementation of the treaty’s three pillars — disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy — and attempt to agree on a final document setting out next steps.

The conference begins under unusually strained conditions, with low expectations for consensus after the 2015 and 2022 review conferences failed to produce agreed outcomes.

The expiration of the New START treaty removed limits on U.S. and Russian strategic arsenals, while recent military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities complicated efforts to resume international inspections. At the same time, major powers are sending mixed signals on nuclear restraint, and France has indicated it will expand its nuclear role, reflecting Europe’s uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees and rising threats from Russia.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, U.N. disarmament chief Izumi Nakamitsu called on all nations to engage in good faith and said the NPT provides “irreplaceable benefits” to nuclear-armed and non-nuclear countries.

“When it comes to nuclear weapons, it’s not just the security of nuclear-weapon states, but the security of the entire global community,” Nakamitsu said.

Her remarks come as the war in Ukraine, tensions involving Iran and renewed concerns about nuclear testing are adding pressure to the review process.

At its core, the NPT process rests on science: verification systems, safeguards and the technical capacity to assess compliance. The coming weeks will show whether political alignment can keep pace with the scientific foundations that underpin the global non-proliferation regime. → Full story

Inside institutions

United Nations — NPT review process begins
The opening of the NPT Review Conference brings together governments and international organizations to assess implementation of the treaty and identify areas for future progress, with divisions expected across disarmament and non-proliferation priorities. → Read more

European Commission / International Science Council — Global research cooperation project launched
A new multi-year initiative aims to define common principles for international research cooperation and translate them into political commitments and practical frameworks across regions. → Read more

International Telecommunication Union — Council convenes in Geneva
The ITU Council begins meeting this week to review the organization’s work on global telecommunications governance, including standards and digital cooperation priorities. → Read more

Signals

Science and security are converging more visibly in global diplomacy
From nuclear verification to emerging technologies, scientific expertise is increasingly central to questions of international security and trust.

Global cooperation is moving toward structured processes
New initiatives, including the EC–ISC project, point to a shift from dialogue toward formal frameworks that shape how countries work together on research and innovation.

On the calendar

April 27–May 22 — NPT Review Conference (New York)
Nations’ delegates meet to review implementation of the global nonproliferation treaty and consider next steps. Watch the opening → April 27, 4 pm, U.N. Web TV

April 28–May 8 — ITU Council — ITU Council (Geneva)
The ITU’s governing body meets to review global telecommunications and digital cooperation priorities. Program → Inaugural plenary

April 29 — EC–ISC research cooperation initiative launch
Ministers and policymakers begin a multi-year process to define principles and frameworks for international research collaboration. Launch → Details forthcoming.

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

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 science diplomacy.

The lead

Africa–Europe science diplomacy is moving into a new phase but coordination remains a challenge.

The Africa–Europe Science Collaboration Platform (AERAP) opens its annual forum in Brussels today as cooperation on research and innovation shifts from planning to delivery. With the A.U.–E.U. Innovation Agenda approaching its third year and a growing focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, research infrastructures and climate collaboration, attention is turning to how shared priorities translate into concrete programs and results.

The central issue is not ambition but alignment. A growing number of initiatives are moving forward, but coordination across institutions, funding and national priorities remains uneven. The coming months, beginning with AERAP and continuing with A.U.–E.U. meetings later this year, will show whether the partnership moves toward a more coherent system.

Inside institutions

United Nations — Global AI panel begins work
The U.N.’s Independent International Scientific Panel on AI meets in person for the first time this week, launching a multi-year effort to assess the impact of artificial intelligence and inform global policy discussions. → Read more

European Commission — Science diplomacy framework advances
A new proposal to establish an E.U. framework for science diplomacy is moving forward, as officials move to link research cooperation more closely with economic security and global positioning. → Read more

United Nations — Secretary-general selection process draws attention
Public dialogues with candidates for the next U.N. Secretary-General begin this week, highlighting ongoing tensions between the Security Council and General Assembly over transparency and leadership. → Read more

Signals

Science diplomacy is moving from planning to delivery
Across regions, governments are placing greater emphasis on turning cooperation into concrete programs and results.

AI governance is taking shape at the global level
New international efforts, including a U.N. scientific panel on artificial intelligence, reflect growing attention to how countries can work together on managing fast-moving technologies.

On the calendar

April 20–22 — Africa–Europe Science Collaboration Forum (Brussels)
AERAP brings together policymakers, scientists and institutions to advance A.U.–E.U. cooperation on research and innovation.
Program → https://aerapscience.org/events/africa-europe-forum-2026

April 21–22 — U.N. secretary-general candidate dialogues (New York)
Public sessions with candidates will be held at the General Assembly.
Michelle Bachelet → April 21 at 4 pm EDT (U.N. Web TV)
Rafael Mariano Grossi → April 21 at 9 pm EDT
Rebeca Grynspan → April 22 at 4 pm EDT
Macky Sall → April 22 at 9 pm EDT

April 22–24 — U.N. AI scientific panel first in-person meeting
The U.N.’s global scientific body on AI begins work toward its first assessment.
Background and timeline → Independent International Scientific Panel on AI

Closing

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