Future Avenues for Science Advice in the UN – UCL – London's Global University

In the context of the complexity of 21^st-century problems, there is an increasing need for science advice to inform the decisions of policymakers. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), with its 193 Member States, is one of the most representative forums for multilateral negotiations covering the entirety of global issues. Recently, through the Pact for the Future, world leaders agreed to “Increase the use of science, scientific knowledge and scientific evidence in policymaking” and to increase efforts to “revitalize the work of the General Assembly.”  Yet, an institutionalised approach to integrating evidence into UNGA deliberations is currently lacking. Instead, science is included through a mix of informal pathways, ad-hoc formats, and only a few mandated formal channels exist for specific areas, such as the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

The International Science Council (ISC) supports the strengthening of science advice mechanisms within the UN. The ISC serves as co-chair of the UN Scientific and Technological Community Major Group; serves as joint secretariat with UNESCO to the Group of Friends on Science for Action, a coalition of UN Member States aiming to ensure that the UN and Member States have access to actionable knowledge for the purposes of evidence-based decision making; and serves as a member of the network of scientific organizations affiliated with the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board, in addition to a variety of partnerships and ad-hoc collaborations with UN entities and Member States.  

In 2024, researchers at University College London’s Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy collaborated with the ISC to analyse the needs of the UNGA for scientific advice, review past and current science advice mechanisms, and discuss potential strategies for establishing a robust, institutionalised science advice framework at the UNGA.  

In this webinar, the results of a research project will be briefly presented, highlighting issues of current science advice channels and potential alternative arrangements.  A panel of global science advice experts will discuss the following questions: 

• What is the role and potential of various actors in strengthening the use of evidence in UNGA decision-making? 
• How can a reasonable balance between formal and informal pathways of science advice provision be achieved?  
• What could an institutionalised UN Science Advice Mechanism look like regarding procedures, governance, access, and composition? 
• How can the inclusiveness of evidence be enhanced? 

Speakers and Programme

Reception and Introduction:

• Dr. Salvatore Aricò, CEO of the ISC