FMSTAN 10th Anniversary Symposium:
Reinventing Science Diplomacy in a Changing World
9 November 2026 –
Online Registration Now Open
Online Registration Now Available (Join the meeting on Zoom)
The Foreign Ministries S&T Advice Network (FMSTAN) was established in 2016 as an informal community of practice bringing together experts dealing with science and technology matters in Ministries of Foreign Affairs.
On 9th November 2026 at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, FMSTAN will organise an open symposium on “Reinventing science diplomacy in a changing world”. This takes place in the framework of the World Science Day for Peace and Development (10 November) and constitutes an official side event of the Paris Peace Forum (10-11 November).
The event will be organised with the support of the European Commission in cooperation with UNESCO and the Paris Peace Forum. There will be no conference fee.
The full-day symposium will feature many of the key thought-leaders and practitioners in science diplomacy, including:
Dr Jan Marco Müller
Team Leader Global Approach, Multilateral Dialogue and Science Diplomacy, European Commission
Prof Rémi Quirion
Chair of INGSA & Inaugural Chief Scientist of Québec
Prof Quarraisha Abdool Karim
President, The World Academy of Sciences
Sir Peter Gluckman
President of the International Science Council, former Chief Scientific Adviser, New Zealand
Dr Flavia Schlegel
Former Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, UNESCO
Prof Robbert Dijkgraaf
Incoming President of the International Science Council
Amb Christina Kokkinakis
Head of the EU Delegation to UNESCO and OECD
Laban Coblentz
Former Chief Strategic Advisor, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor
Prof Stéphanie Balme
Director, Centre for International Studies, Sciences Po
Nouf Al Hameli
S&T Adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, United Arab Emirates
Dr Vaughan Turekian
Executive Director, Office of International Networks, Cooperation, and Security, US NASEM
Dr Lidia Brito
UNESCO Assistant DG – Priority Africa and External Relations
Thierry Damerval
Special Envoy for Science, Technology and Innovation, France
Amb Ana María Pesantes Salazar
Ambassador of Ecuador to France, Monaco, OECD & UNESCO
Prof Robin Grimes
Former Chief Scientific Adviser, UK Foreign Office
Dr Muhammad Adeel
Science Diplomacy Coordinator, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan
Yousuf Al-Bulushi Former S&T Advisor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oman
Eudy Mabuza
Minister-Counsellor for Science and Innovation, South African Mission to the EU
Christina Gehlsen
Head of Division for International Science Policy, Foreign Office, Germany
Dr Annette Koo Director, Bureau International des Poids et Mesures
Dr Mahaman Bachir Saley Head of Science, Technology and Space, African Union Commission
Joanna Wiśniewska
Head of Global Engagement, Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator
Prof Tony Haymet Australia’s Chief Scientist
Prof Taikan Oki
S&T Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Japan
Event Details
Date: 9th November 2026 – 9:15-19:00
(Arrive early to navigate security and registration)
Location: UNESCO Headquarters,
Enter via: 125 Avenue de Suffren
75007 Paris
Room: Salle XI
Format: In-person / Streamed online
Cost: Free
Lunch and Tea/Coffee Breaks Provided
Getting there: UNESCO does not have parking facilities. We recommend using public transport.
By Metro: Ségur-UNESCO, Cambronne, Ecole militaire
By Bus: 28, 80
Velib’Sation: n° 15009 Suffren, 140 avenue de Suffren
Overview Agenda – 9th November 2026
9:15
Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:45
FMSTAN at 10: How the world has changed
Panel discussion with the founders of FMSTAN. This session will look back at the geopolitical environment in which FMSTAN was founded in 2016, how the situation has changed, and what this means for science advice and science diplomacy.
11:00
Coffee Break
11:30
Keynote: Science for Multilateralism
12:00
Multilateralism under pressure: The role of science diplomacy
Discussion on the pressures multilateralism is facing today and the related challenges, but also opportunities, for science diplomacy. How is increasing competition, e.g. in AI, affecting international cooperation? What can science diplomacy do to strengthen the multilateral system?
13:15
Lunch
14:30
Emerging Voices in Science Diplomacy
As the world changes, traditional actors are adapting and new actors are emerging in the science diplomacy landscape. At the same time, global science diplomacy is becoming much more younger and diverse, also in terms of gender and geography. This session will look at how science diplomacy is being reshaped by these voices.
15:45
Keynote on science for peace
16:15
Coffee Break
16:45
Reinventing science diplomacy in a changing world
This session will discuss the future of science diplomacy, bringing together leading science diplomacy voices from all world regions. The session will not follow a classic panel format, but be highly interactive.
18:30
Concluding remarks by current and former Chairs of FMSTAN
This session will discuss the future of science diplomacy, bringing together leading science diplomacy voices from all world regions. The session will not follow a classic panel format, but be highly interactive.
18:50
Closing of the Symposium
19:00
End
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