InterAcademy Partnership

InterAcademy Partnership
Name	InterAcademy Partnership
Formation	2016
Type	NGO
Headquarters	Trieste, Italy
Region served	Worldwide
Membership	140+ national academies
Leader title	Co-Chairs
Leader name	Volker ter Meulen, Depei Liu, Krishna Ella
Website	https://www.interacademies.org/

InterAcademy Partnership is a global network comprising more than 140 national and regional academies of science, medicine, and engineering. It was formed in 2016 through the merger of four pre-existing global academy networks to provide a unified, authoritative voice for science in international policy discussions. The partnership is dedicated to improving scientific capacity, advising governments and international bodies on critical global issues, and fostering collaboration among the world's scientific leadership. Its secretariat is based at The World Academy of Sciences in Trieste, Italy.

History

The origins trace back to several independent initiatives in the 1990s, including the founding of the InterAcademy Panel on International Issues in 1993, which was established by a group of national academies including the Royal Society and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. Parallel efforts led to the creation of the InterAcademy Medical Panel and the InterAcademy Council, the latter co-founded by the United Nations and the World Bank. A significant precursor, the Global Network of Science Academies, also played a key role. The formal consolidation into the current entity was ratified at a joint conference in South Africa, streamlining efforts to address complex challenges like climate change and global health.

Organization and governance

The governance structure is led by a Board comprising elected representatives from its member academies across global regions, with current co-chairs including Volker ter Meulen of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and Depei Liu of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Day-to-day operations are managed by an Executive Director, with strategic guidance provided by committees focused on specific areas such as science policy and capacity building. The partnership operates through regional networks, including distinct hubs for Africa, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific region, ensuring contextually relevant engagement. Key administrative and programmatic support is coordinated from its central secretariat in Trieste.

Member academies

Membership is restricted to nationally recognized academies, encompassing a diverse array of institutions from over 100 countries. Prominent members include the Indian National Science Academy, the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, and the Australian Academy of Science. The network also includes regional academy associations like the European Academies' Science Advisory Council and the Network of African Science Academies. A rigorous peer-review process, often involving existing members like the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, assesses new applicants to ensure adherence to high standards of scientific excellence and independence. This global assembly represents a vast collective expertise in fields from biotechnology to sustainable development.

Activities and programs

Core activities focus on producing evidence-based advice for major international forums such as the United Nations General Assembly and the G7. Signature programs include initiatives on food security, antimicrobial resistance, and disaster risk reduction, often conducted in collaboration with entities like the World Health Organization. The partnership also runs capacity-building workshops, notably in developing regions, to strengthen national academy functions and early-career scientist networks. A major ongoing effort is its work supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, providing scientific assessments to inform implementation strategies for governments from Kenya to Indonesia.

Publications and reports

The partnership is renowned for its authoritative, peer-reviewed consensus reports, which are often cited in international policy debates. Notable publications include major studies on climate change mitigation, global health priorities, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. These reports are typically authored by international panels of experts nominated by member academies, such as the French Academy of Sciences and the Japan Academy. Key outputs are disseminated through partnerships with publishers and are made publicly available to inform stakeholders from the European Commission to civil society organizations worldwide.

Impact and recognition

Its advisory reports have directly influenced international agreements, including frameworks developed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The partnership's statements on issues like vaccine equity and biodiversity loss have been endorsed by leaders at summits like the World Economic Forum. It maintains formal consultative status with several United Nations agencies, cementing its role in the global science-policy interface. The collective voice of its member academies, from the Russian Academy of Sciences to the Academy of Science of South Africa, grants it significant credibility in advocating for science-based solutions to global challenges.

Category:International scientific organizations Category:Science policy organizations Category:Organizations based in Trieste Category:Organizations established in 2016