The Science Meets Regions series facilitates bilateral and multilateral cooperation by connecting leading scientists and diplomats from participating countries to share and advance priorities in science, technology, and innovation. The series serves as a platform for scientists to contribute their expertise and offer evidence-based recommendations to address pressing challenges facing each country and their surrounding geographical region.

Series highlights:  

• Northwestern Europe | International Challenges & Technologies of National Interest: Diplomats from Denmark, Sweden, and Belgium, along with scientists from JHU’s Ralph O’Connor Sustainable Energy Institute, discussed challenges of accelerating the transition to clean energy, and how projects such as those on carbon capture and conversion can tackle them.  

• Energy, Science and Security | The Dutch Approach: The Netherlands and the U.S. have opportunities to collaborate on workforce development, risk capital, energy security policy modeling, and facilitation of key strategic technologies such as quantum, AI, and next-generation energy materials.  

• Estonia & Rwanda | Climate Collaboration for a Sustainable Future: Estonia and Rwanda have started to share knowledge and tools, including how electrification of public transportation can help solve the climate crisis.    

The tiniest particles in the universe could transform sectors ranging from health care to defense, as scientists use principals beyond “classical” physical limitations to develop new materials and enhance computing power, secure communication, sensing, and more. Multiple countries have recognized such transformative opportunities, resulting in increased international competition in this promising new area of science and technology.   

To help prepare for the Quantum Age, the Science Diplomacy Hub hosts the annual Global Quantum Strategies Overview convening, featuring flash talks by distinguished key players in the private sector, academia, and government to discuss the latest relating to QIST topics, including:   

• Key advancements and challenges in quantum technologies (quantum computing, sensors, cryptography, simulation, measurement, and imaging)   
• New developments in national quantum strategies and the formation and growth of collaborative and transnational partnerships in QIST   

In 2024, the sequel to the annual Global Quantum Strategies Overview convening was the “Narrowing the Quantum Divide: Future Talent & Workforce Development”, an event where ambassadors of countries including Switzerland and Finland, in addition to distinguished speakers from other countries, shared updates on key advancements in quantum talent development pipelines in their respective countries.   

From weather forecasting to water resource management, to agriculture, telecommunications and beyond, the strategic importance of space underscores the need for effective international cooperation based on diplomacy, international treaties, and other global agreements. The Science Diplomacy Hub hosts key players in the space science diplomacy field including astronauts, diplomats, and innovators to share their experiences.    

• Past speakers include Andreas Mogensen, the first Danish citizen in space on the International Space Station (ISS).  

The effects of climate change vary dramatically around the globe, but solving the crisis will only happen when all nations, big and small, work together to forge and adopt common solutions. This collaboration is necessary at the diplomatic level as well as through researchers across scientific fields convening and sharing data-driven and evidence-based solutions on a range of issues, from food safety and security to health and transportation.   

• The Science Diplomacy Hub held an event, “Estonia & Rwanda | Climate Collaboration for a Sustainable Future,” which brought diplomats and scientists from both nations together to share knowledge strategies and insights on the latest developments in climate science and adaptability as well as national long-term cooperative strategies for addressing climate challenges.  

Agriculture: Intensive farming practices and excessive use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides have led to an increased focus on the topic of sustainable agriculture to ensure a sustainable, safe, and healthy food supply.   

• During the Science Diplomacy Hub “Belgium & U.S. Perspectives on Sustainable Agriculture | Science Diplomacy for Sustainability” convening organized in collaboration with the Embassy of Belgium in Washington, D.C., experts discussed climate-smart agroecological techniques in sustainable agriculture, including biological pest and disease control and data-driven solutions to advance the vision of long-term policy planning and overcoming “lock-ins” that impede change in agriculture and food systems.  

Artificial Intelligence: As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives and critical systems, there is a pressing need for sustainable AI practices. These include the responsible and ethical development, deployment, and usage of AI that considers the long-term well-being of both society and the environment.   

• During the Science Diplomacy Hub convening “How Sustainable is Artificial Intelligence?”, which was held in collaboration with the Embassy of Germany in Washington, D.C., leading experts in academia and government from both countries discussed preservation of privacy and data security, the potential job displacement caused by automation, and how long-term international exchange between research and industry can foster sustainable AI practices to safeguard against its unintended negative consequences.