Giving science in our region a global voice?

Towards the end of 2022, the The Australian Academy of Science was successful in its bid to lead the International Science Council’s Regional Focal Point for the Asia Pacific .? To assist it carry out strategic and meaningful work, the Regional Focal Point was strengthened by $10m of Australian Government support for the next 5 years.??

It reflects the priority given to our region by the Australian Government.? Since being sworn in a year ago, Prime Minister Albanese has embarked on a range of high-level visits across our region including Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Fiji, Thailand, PNG, and India. These have been supplemented by regional visits by Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic, to develop meaningful relationships with our neighbours.???

The establishment of an Asia-Pacific Regional Focal Point by the International Science Council (ISC) also reflects the priority given to our region by the global science network.? In its report, “ISC and the Intergovernmental System ”, the ISC – the global voice for and of science – recognised that it needs to bolster its presence in all the world’s regions and include more prominently voices from the Global South.? This is part of efforts to fully mobilise the scientific and policy expertise of ISC members (and expand that membership to include under-represented nations) so as to strengthen the influence of science in global policy decisions.??

Working with a unique global membership across more than 230 organisations, covering the natural and social sciences and the humanities, and as an independent, non-governmental organisation with global convening power, there is no better placed organisation than the ISC to enable science to inform global policy in a more strategic and consistent way than currently occurs.?

And there has never been a more urgent time for the ISC to mobilise its network and provide authoritative and integrated knowledge to inform decisions such as how to reverse biodiversity loss, tackle inequality, address the climate emergency, and govern technological change for the public good, to name just a few.?

The role science is playing in quantum technology development, in defence strategies and in mass energy transition, means transdisciplinary advice – bringing together technical knowledge, the societal impact of science, and the geopolitical context – need to be readily available at the decision-making table more than ever before.?

Whilst ISC headquarters in Paris continues to make impressive advances in participating in the multilateral agenda to infuse transdisciplinary knowledge into deliberations, it will be part of the role of the Regional Focal Points to ensure all voices are heard and no one is left behind, especially in the Global South.?

For this very reason Regional Focal Points have been established or are being established to cover the Latin-American and Caribbean, and the African regions, and will work collaboratively with the Asia-Pacific body hosted at the Australian Academy of Science.?

In Australia, it’s imperative we identify mechanisms that are not duplicative or fragmented, that we give our Pacific neighbours a voice in global decision making, and bolster the capabilities of emerging science academies. Also, we must and we will find better ways to nurture and engage the next generation of scientists, engage meaningfully with indigenous knowledge holders, and prepare transdisciplinary policy advice.?

The ISC Regional Focal Point for the Asia Pacific will focus on three key areas:?

• Knowledge generation: including indigenous, civil and science knowledge systems.?
• Capacity building: strengthening knowledge systems, supporting under-represented groups; increasing societal impact; promoting transdisciplinary research practice.?
• Science communication and translation: strengthening evidence-informed decision making, maintaining trust in science.??

I don’t underestimate the challenges of working with a region that is more than a third of the world’s population and with incredibly diverse needs and capabilities. Nor do I underestimate the challenges that come with the changing relationship between science and society, a need to maintain trust in science, and operating in the most complex geopolitical environment of our time.????

As Dr Petra Lundgren, Director of the ISC Regional Focal Point for the Asia-Pacific and the person leading the Australian Academy of Science’s work in this area, so aptly put it at a meeting of ISC members we both attended earlier this month: “operating across 7 time zones is the least of our problems”.?

We will work with scientific organisations across the Asia-Pacific to voice regional needs and priorities to the ISC, ensuring regional representation in the governance and strategic direction of global science endeavours. And will ensure we do not leave behind the voices of the region that do not yet benefit from ISC membership. Reciprocally, we will translate the ISC’s global vision into actions tailored to meet the unique needs of our region.?

Since its foundation in 1954, the Australian Academy of Science has facilitated international partnerships and collaboration. We are taking our work up a notch because the capabilities and solutions we need to respond to a more complex global scientific environment demand it and because science must be for the benefit of all, not some.?

Anna-Maria Arabia, Chief Executive, Australian Academy of Science