Science & Diplomacy - A quarterly publication from the AAAS Center for Diplomacy

Claudia Canales Holzeis, Robin Fears, Joachim von Braun, Volker ter Meulen

In 2015, this journal published a perspective on the role of academies of science in providing key diplomacy tools, and introduced the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) — the global network of science academies. The IAP encompasses over 130 academies of science and medicine working together in four regional networks, and provides a platform that allows member academies to collaborate across disciplines and borders to bring scientific insight to national, regional, and global policy debates. The IAP aims to advance sound policies, improve public health, promote excellence in science education, and help achieve critical development goals. Academies of science and medicine serve key roles as providers of evidence-based policy and advice, and this function is strengthened by a number of features: 1) academies are merit-based institutions with members comprising leading scientists in all disciplines; 2) academies are free from vested political and commercial interests; and 3) their association with regional and global networks enables the academies to address pressing global challenges while at the same time retaining an awareness of national needs and priorities.