EU and ISC expand global push for scientific cooperation

By AI, Created 9:58 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – The European Commission and the International Science Council are taking their research and innovation dialogue global, with workshops across four regions planned from 2026 to 2029 and a ministerial meeting set to consider a declaration on international scientific cooperation. The effort comes as geopolitical tension, unequal access to research resources and security concerns make cross-border science harder to sustain.

Why it matters: - The European Commission and the International Science Council are trying to build a clearer global framework for scientific cooperation at a time when research ties are under pressure. - The project is meant to support fairer, more effective collaboration across borders. - The initiative is designed to help countries work together on global problems that cannot be solved alone. - A shared set of principles could ease friction tied to geopolitical rivalry, uneven access to scientific resources and research security concerns.

What happened: - The European Commission entered a second phase of its multilateral dialogue on research and innovation collaboration with the International Science Council. - The expanded effort moves the discussion from a mostly European group to a global one. - The earlier dialogue included representatives from 57 countries, primarily in Europe. - The new phase is funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe. - The International Science Council will host the secretariat.

The details: - The project will run from 2026 through 2029. - Regional perspectives will be gathered through high-level workshops and consultations in Latin America, Africa, Asia and online. - The discussions will focus on the principles and values behind international research and innovation collaboration. - The work will produce practical guidance, tools and frameworks for cooperation. - The process is expected to culminate in a global ministerial meeting. - That meeting will aim to adopt a declaration on international scientific and innovation collaboration. - Peter Gluckman, president of the International Science Council, said the effort reflects a need for collaboration grounded in trust, fairness and shared responsibility. - The International Science Council says it has 250 scientific bodies in its membership across all disciplines and regions.

Between the lines: - The expansion signals that science diplomacy is becoming more important as countries face overlapping research, security and geopolitical pressures. - The focus on principles, tools and a possible declaration suggests the initiative is aiming for more than discussion; it is trying to shape norms for future cooperation. - The European Commission is using Horizon Europe to project a values-based approach to international research partnerships.

What’s next: - Workshops and consultations will continue across the target regions over the next several years. - Organizers will use the input to refine guidance for international collaboration. - A ministerial meeting at the end of the process will seek agreement on a declaration. - The outcome will help indicate whether governments are ready to back a more formal global framework for scientific cooperation.

The bottom line: - The European Commission and the International Science Council are betting that a broader, values-based agreement can keep international science collaboration workable in a more divided world.