Online Panel Session: UNU Paris on Science Diplomacy for the UNESCO IDSSD Global Conference

Register here and add the session to your calendar.

Co-moderated by UNU Paris 

The session, in English, will be co-moderated by Sabine Becker-Thierry, Director of UNU Paris, alongside Antonella di Trapani, Senior Fellow at the UNU Paris Office. 

Why Science Diplomacy, Why Now 

In an increasingly fragmented world, building trust, strengthening international cooperation, and advancing sustainable development have never been more urgent. This session will explore how science diplomacy can serve as a bridge — advancing peace, reinforcing scientific sovereignty, supporting evidence-informed policymaking, and accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.

An Outstanding Panel of Scientists 

The discussion brings together three renowned scientists whose careers span physics, energy engineering, and nuclear science: 

• Ana María Cetto (Mexico) – Professor of Physics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico; Former Deputy Director General of IAEA, Chair of UNESCO Open Science Steering Committee. 

• Emanuela Colombo (Italy) – Professor of Energy Engineering at Politecnico di Milano; Rector’s Delegate for Science Diplomacy (Politecnico di Milano); member of the International Advisory Board of the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (Arusha, Tanzania); and UNESCO Chair in Energy for Sustainable Development.  

• Rajaâ Cherkaoui El Moursli (Morocco), Professor of Nuclear Physics at Mohammed V University in Rabat; Contributor to the ATLAS experiment at CERN; L’Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science Laureate (2015, Africa and Arab States).