ISC Governing Board Statement on International Science Collaboration
24 June 2025

The ISC Governing Board has issued a statement to underscore the urgent need to protect and strengthen global cooperation in science. 

[Original resource]

Science is a special form of globally shared knowledge which the world needs more than ever in addressing the challenges that all face. The international collaboration that is at its heart has been created over many decades, but is now vulnerable and fragile.  Given the enormous importance of science to national and global wellbeing, the International Science Council appeals to all decision makers to ensure that the principles of science and its institutions are protected, and that international scientific cooperation is maintained and ideally strengthened.

Over the past 200 years, science has played a major role in improving the quality of human life, fostering economic growth, and deepening broader understanding of nature and society. All nations use science to advance their interests—through health, social progress and economic development. Much of this national benefit is achieved through significant investments in research, including by the private sector and philanthropies, and via collaborations within the global scientific community—for knowledge transcends national boundaries. This collective approach has become more critical given existential threats to planetary and societal health that we now face. 

Science also plays an important role in nations advancing their economic, security, and geostrategic goals. The increasingly used policy mantra of science being “as open as possible and as closed as necessary” must not be extended beyond legitimate need. 

Science has both contributed to, and exposed, the issues of the impact of humans and their technologies on the planet at every level, from local to global. Over the last few decades, nations and their scientists have collaborated to identify, seek to mitigate, and adapt to these risks. That collaboration has often transcended geostrategic tensions because it is in every nation’s own vested interest to protect the global commons. 

What underpins all sciences is a set of principles based on empiricism, transparency, quality assurance and openness that allow science to be a universal system of knowledge. However, the application of scientific knowledge is rightfully determined by the societies in which it is embedded.  Scientific communities are right to be concerned about the forces that are challenging them. International scientific collaboration must continue; the responsibility for sustaining research must be more equitably shared — not only to safeguard scientific outcomes, but because nations that invest in and support science also grow from its many benefits. Ignoring science increases the risks to the global commons. Scientific cooperation promotes peaceful dialogue among countries. 

For its part, the scientific community must remain true to its core principles but must be more closely and meaningfully connected to society. The contract between science and society must be continually renewed allowing science to make essential contributions to peace, security and well-being.

As the global NGO mainly comprising scientific unions,  associations and academies, the ISC is committed to our vision of science as a global public good. We call upon all sectors of society to recognize that the free and responsible practice of science is a community endeavour crucial to the advancement of all humanity.


Related News & Events
05 August 2025
IRDR proudly celebrates the successful conclusion of the 2025 Youth Climate Action and Disaster Risk Reduction Hackathon, held in Beijing under the theme “Empowering Youth for a Healthy Planet.” Co-organized with UNESCO, the Horizon Global Youth Development Program and other partners, the event brought together over 300 young innovators from 15 countries to co-develop solutions to urgent environmental challenges.
04 August 2025
IRDR commends the successful conclusion of Fudan University's second International Summer School on Climate Change and Related Risks. Supported by IRDR in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the MAP-AQ programme, the three-week flagship program brought together nearly 80 participants from 16 countries, fostering a dynamic global learning community under the theme “Human Activity and Weather/Climate Extremes.”
31 July 2025
UNESCO and IRDR co-organise this lumos at UTC 8:00 on 18 August, which will reflect the research and innovations from young generations with the topics including but not limited (1) vulnerability assessment of cultural heritages (tangible and intangible), (2) integrating traditional knowledge and advanced technologies for climate change adaption and disaster risk reduction, and (3) the role of culture in climate action through education, grassroots initiatives, and policy engagement.
Disclaimer of use | Privacy Policy | Terms of use | Contact us|
Copyright 2023 Integrated Research on Disaster Risk. All rights reserved.
+86 10 8217 8917
Room B713, No.9 Dengzhuangnan Rd., Beijing China 100094