Health and policy: WHO and the E.U.'s diplomatic science
Part 3 of an 8-part series on how international organizations use science diplomacy to tackle issues at the nexus of science, diplomacy, and global affairs.
World Health Organization (WHO)
The World Health Organization's mission is deeply rooted in science diplomacy. It collaborates with international organizations, researchers, public health officials, governments, and clinicians. They develop and implement strategies for infection control and treatment. Health diplomacy is essential for global health security, improving state relations, and achieving equitable health outcomes worldwide.
A cornerstone of WHO's science diplomacy is the International Health Regulations (IHR) of 2005. This legally binding international instrument applies to 196 countries. It provides a framework for preventing, detecting, and responding to public health emergencies that could spread internationally.
The IHR mandates countries to build capacities in surveillance, reporting, and response. It also establishes a framework for international cooperation and information sharing. WHO identifies Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC) and recommends health measures during crises.
Beyond regulations, WHO leads global health initiatives. These aim to expand universal health coverage and address threats like AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and emerging diseases. Its Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) was crucial during the 2003 SARS outbreak.
WHO also advocates for sharing health data, including surveillance and epidemiological data from among its 194 member nations. It implements safeguards for confidentiality and ethical use and the organization collaborates extensively with funding bodies like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
WHO's involvement shows how health drives science diplomacy. This is evident through legal frameworks like the IHR and its central role in coordinating global pandemic responses. The focus on data sharing and capacity building in developing countries highlights a "science for diplomacy" approach that emphasizes collective security and fairness. However, WHO's work also reveals political challenges; cooperation can be difficult between national interests and shifting funding priorities.
European Union (EU) / European Commission
The European Union sees science as a key economic driver and a vital part of its international relations. It advocates for stronger integration of science and technology into its foreign and security policies. This projects soft power and advances economic interests.
The E.U.'s strategic approach to science diplomacy is in its "Global Approach to Research and Innovation," adopted in May 2021. This strategy explicitly integrates science and technology into the E.U.'s external actions. This has led to calls for a dedicated European Science Diplomacy Agenda.
The European Commission has worked to develop a comprehensive "European Framework for Science Diplomacy." Expert working groups with 130 specialists support this effort. The framework addresses geopolitical challenges, enhances diplomatic efficacy through scientific evidence, strengthens science diplomacy in missions, and builds capacities across the E.U.
The E.U. also has invested in science diplomacy through its Horizon 2020 program. It funded projects like S4D4C, InsSciDE, and EL-CSID. These projects deepened understanding of European science diplomacy and developed training materials and position papers, such as the Madrid Declaration on Science Diplomacy.
A notable E.U.-supported example is the Synchrotron-Light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) in Jordan, bringing together researchers from countries like Israel, Palestine, and Iran.
The E.U. also participates in major dialogues, including the first European Science Diplomacy Conference in Madrid in Dec. 2023, and an International Network for Governmental Science Advice (INGSA) conference satellite event in Kigali in May 2024.
The E.U.'s science diplomacy approach is structured, policy-driven, and values-based. Its aim is to "project soft power" and leverage scientific expertise for foreign and security policies signifies a deliberate integration of science into its geopolitical strategy. This moves beyond mere collaboration to strategic influence.
The formal "European Framework for Science Diplomacy" with detailed work strands and expert groups shows an effort to institutionalize science diplomacy at a supranational level. This provides a model for how regional blocs can coordinate scientific and diplomatic efforts for strategic advantage.
