In a world of global challenges, economic uncertainty, accelerating technology, and geopolitical tensions, policymakers require robust and reliable information about the world, to both identify the risks but also to seize on opportunities.

Yet the mechanisms for how science and policy interact to provide this information, are often ad hoc or poorly understood by the stakeholders in the system.

The International Network for Governmental Science Advice (INGSA) is the world’s largest network of academics, policymakers, science advisors, and boundary spanners at the science-policy-society interface. With over 6200 members in 120+ countries INGSA provides the opportunity for capacity building, information sharing and networking to support individuals and organisations to adapt science advice best practice to their own systems and needs.

With the leadership of Prof Fadi El-Jardali of the Government Engagement Platform (GEP) at the American University of Beirut, INGSA has established a founding Middle East INGSA Group of science advice leaders from the MENA region. This esteemed founding group is comprised of parliamentarians, ministers, senior executives, scientists, analysts and practitioners.  It will build a regional network of science advice practitioners and enable a broader understanding of national and regional science advice ecosystems in the Middle East. In addition, it will help build consensus on INGSA’s role in the Middle East to address gaps and support the capacity of science advice systems, and increase regional membership and institutional partnerships to provide a forum for regional collaboration, capacity-building, and knowledge sharing. By connecting the Middle East’s expertise to global resources and networks, the group will enhance the effectiveness of knowledge-to-policy mechanisms and strengthen the regional science advice ecosystem.

On the 26th January, the founding Middle East INGSA Group was launched with their first meeting. This was held in Oman alongside the International Science Council’s Muscat Knowledge Dialogue, which has brought together scientific representatives from every corner of the globe.

From here, the INGSA Middle East Group with define, coordinate, and undertake projects and events to build a grassroots network of science advice practitioners in the Middle East, and to raise the capacity and interconnectedness of experts in the region. 

If you are interested in following the development of the Middle East INGSA Group and supporting the expansion of science advice capacity in the region, you can become a member of the INGSA network for free at: www.ingsa.org/join

More information will be shared with members as the Working Group develops.