Politics

Barcelona Hosts the World Science Diplomacy Summit: The ‘Davos’ of Science and Technology

Barcelona has taken center stage as the annual host of the World Science Diplomacy Summit, an event heralded as the ‘Davos’ of Science and Technology.

This prestigious summit brings together over 1,300 global leaders from nearly 100 countries, including Foreign Ministers, Nobel Prize laureates, United Nations representatives, and executives from leading technology and life sciences industries.

They gather to discuss the impact of new technologies and scientific research on climate change, global health, energy transition, and AI governance.

The summit, co-organized by SciTech DiploHub and UNESCO, along with several United Nations agencies, the European Union, and supported by the Barcelona City Council and the Government of Spain, showcases the collaborative spirit needed to tackle global challenges.

The event featured participation from 47 science academies, over 50 universities, and 20 leading companies in technology and life sciences.

From July 5th to 10th, attendees engaged in more than 15 high-level plenaries, 21 side events, and around 30 visits to research and diplomatic organizations in Barcelona.

The summit also included an executive training program in science diplomacy at the Barcelona Institute of International Studies (IBEI). Key venues included the Ciutadella Campus of Pompeu Fabra University, the Pedralbes Royal Palace, and Barcelona Activa, the city’s leading tech hub.

The Impact of Global Science for the Future of Humanity

Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, emphasized the importance of science for global well-being. “Science today is omnipresent and ubiquitous, from what we eat to the phones in our pockets. It is a driver of development, necessary everywhere and at all times, and everyone has the right to benefit from it,” she said. Azoulay also announced that Barcelona will host the World Science Diplomacy Summit until 2028 and the Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination in December, reaffirming its commitment to global challenges.

Science Diplomacy in Action

Prominent speakers at the summit highlighted the transformative power of science diplomacy. The Ambassador of Pakistan to the European Union, Amna Baloch, discussed how science diplomacy is reshaping international collaboration, especially in areas like talent mobility, sustainability, and health system improvements.

Archana Sharma, Director of International Relations at CERN, highlighted how science diplomacy facilitates evidence-based decisions, overcoming national interests. “Barcelona, as the first city in the world with a science diplomacy strategy, is paving the way for other global cities,” Sharma noted.

New Science Diplomacy Centers in Africa and the Middle East

A significant announcement at the summit was the launch of a new Science Diplomacy Center for Africa, based in Kigali, Rwanda. This initiative is a collaboration between the Barcelona City Council, SciTech DiploHub, the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC), and the Association of African Universities. Additionally, plans for a Science Diplomacy Center for the Mediterranean and the Middle East were unveiled, with a projected opening in 2025.

Women’s Leadership in Science and Diplomacy

The summit also celebrated women’s leadership in science and diplomacy, with 61% of the speakers being women and 73% in High-Level Plenaries. Alexis Roig, CEO of SciTech DiploHub, emphasized the importance of women in leadership positions in these fields.

“Barcelona’s role as the focal point for discussions on the social, ethical, and diplomatic aspects of science and technology governance places our research and innovation ecosystem at the international forefront,” Roig stated.

The summit’s discussions on climate change, global health, energy transition, and artificial intelligence have reinforced Barcelona’s status as the global epicenter of science and technology diplomacy.

This event has solidified the city’s reputation as a key venue for forging international alliances for the future.

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