On 29 October 2025, UNU-CPR, in partnership with the British Academy, convened a high-level workshop on Designing Next-Generation Science-Policy Interfaces (SPIs) at the Japan Society in New York.
The event brought together UN officials, policymakers, scientists and scholars to explore how scientific expertise can more effectively inform multilateral decision-making. Building on the legacy of institutions such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), participants examined diverse SPI models, their institutional design and approaches for integrating social science, Indigenous and local knowledge systems.
Through two interactive sessions, the workshop addressed key questions on SPI convergence and divergence, challenges in new institutional design and opportunities to enhance evidence-based global governance.
This workshop forms part of UNU-CPR’s Global Governance Innovation Platform (GGI), which explores innovative governance structures and decision-making mechanisms for solutions to today’s complex global challenges. As part of this initiative, GGI is developing a Working Paper that synthesizes key insights from its activities and aims to serve as a foundation for continued cross-disciplinary dialogue and collaboration. A Summary Report capturing the discussions and lessons from this event is available here.