Science and Diplomacy Joint Programme 

Objectives

Programme scope

In a world where scientific progress and technological breakthroughs are accelerating at an unprecedented pace, the UN must evolve to address both the challenges and opportunities from emerging science and technology. From global health risks, climate change, and the rapid rise of technologies such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology, various forces are reshaping economies, ecosystems, and societies. The effective integration of science into global governance is vital for the UN to lead on global issues, drive innovation, and deliver meaningful solutions.

Current approaches, however, to the use of science within the UN is fragmented, siloed, and reactive—limiting organizational capacities to tackle complex global challenges effectively. To bridge existing gaps, the Secretary-General established the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) supported by the Science and Diplomacy Joint Programme to provide expert advice on breakthroughs in science and technology, fulfilling a key commitment made in the Our Common Agenda report.

The SAB aims to enhance the UN’s use of scientific evidence and cutting-edge technologies across its policies and programmes to harness benefits while mitigating potential risks. It also serves as a model for anticipatory science diplomacy, positioning the UN to proactively engage with emerging issues. This Joint Programme was established to support the work of the Scientific Advisory Board through the creation of a Secretariat, staffed jointly by the Executive Office of the Secretary-General and UN University’s Centre for Policy Research. The Secretariat provides overall programmatic, operational, logistics, and research support to the SAB.

Strategic action and theory of change

The SAB will help transform the UN system from one where science expertise is narrow, siloed, and localized, to one where science is widely shared across offices, fields, and programmes, enhancing the evidence-based decision-making of UN leadership and the wider system. It will also help build trust in science across the UN and with the public. This SAB will advance this mission by providing targeted scientific advice to UN decision-makers, connecting science-advisory ecosystems across the UN system, and by offering public-facing science policy products.

The Scientific Advisory Board offers a networked and diversified approach to providing scientific advice that draws on the expertise of 11 global institutions, representing over 200,000 scientists. The structure enhances agility and ensures rapid access to top-tier scientific expertise, while maintaining legitimacy through the involvement of UN Chief Scientists to bridge the gap between research and policy. Network diversity across scientific disciplines and geographies strengthens capacities to deliver relevant and comprehensive insights.

Expected results

• Availability of rapid and informed scientific policy advice for decision-making by the Secretary-General and senior UN leaders
• Greater awareness of emerging scientific opportunities and implications as they relate to delivery of the mandates of UN entities by UN leaders and UN Country Teams
•  Improved coordination and connectivity of science-advisory expertise that exists within the UN system
• Closer links between multilateral, national, and multi-stakeholder science-advisory bodies to support the work of UN Country Teams
• Availability of public-facing science-policy material from a global perspective

Governance

JP Implementing Team – Scientific Advisory Board Secretariat

The Science and Diplomacy Joint Programme will leverage the comparative advantage of the two collaborating entities, the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG) and UN University (UNU), to operationalize the Scientific Advisory Board and maximize its impact. EOSG will serve as the lead entity and provide overall programme management, operational delivery, engagement with SAB network organizations and the UN system, communications, and event management. UN University, through its Centre for Policy Research and global Institutes, will lead on research and science policy products, as well as provide administrative support, such as contributing to the logistics and delivery of events and products for the SAB. Together the two entities will form a joint Secretariat to support the work of the Scientific Advisory Board.

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee is the formal decision-making body of Science and Diplomacy Joint Programme. It will provide guidance, oversight, and strategic direction for the project, which includes defining the core functions of the Scientific Advisory Board Secretariat.  The Steering Committee will include two members from each participating UN organization: two (2) members from EOSG and two (2) members from UN University. The Steering Committee may also include representatives from donors, in an observer capacity.

Participating Organizations

Participating United Nations Organizations develop project and programme proposals, and report on implementation and financial processes and outcomes. Each Participating Organization assumes full programmatic and financial accountability for funds disbursed to it by the Administrative Agent.   

Administrative Agent

Recipient Organizations receive funds through the Administrative Agent, the MPTF Office. The Administrative Agent is responsible for the receipt, administration and management of contributions from donors, disbursement of funds to Recipient Organizations, and consolidation and dissemination of progress reports to donors.   

Projects

Science and Diplomacy Joint Programme

Science and Diplomacy Joint Programme is currently supporting count_projects ongoing projectscount_globalInterregional and count_countries country-specific. This table shows the most recently approved ongoing projects.

All project financial information can be found in the Financials section, including delivery analysis by organization, theme and project; project financial status by country and by theme.

Science and Diplomacy Joint Programme

Results

Provide targeted scientific advice to UN decision-makers, connect science-advisory ecosystems across the UN system, and offer public-facing science policy products to enhance sharing and use of science across offices, fields, and programmes. 

ContactsPoints of contact

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