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| United Nations Scientific Advisory Board | |
|---|---|
| Name | United Nations Scientific Advisory Board |
| Formation | 20XX |
| Headquarters | New York City |
| Parent organization | United Nations |
United Nations Scientific Advisory Board is an advisory organ established to provide scientific and technical guidance to the United Nations system. Drawing on expertise from international science institutions, national academies and specialised agencies, the Board informs policy deliberations within bodies such as the United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Economic and Social Council, and UN Secretary-General offices. It interfaces with global science networks including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the World Health Organization, and regional science academies to translate evidence into actionable advice for United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and sustainable development processes.
The Board was conceived amid calls for science advice during crises such as the 2014 Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing climate negotiations under the Paris Agreement. Early precursors included advisory mechanisms associated with the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Telecommunication Union, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Founding discussions drew participation from the Royal Society, the National Academy of Sciences (United States), the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the InterAcademy Partnership, and the Science Advice to Governments by Scientists (SAGE) initiatives. Key milestones involved memoranda of understanding with the World Meteorological Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the International Labour Organization.
The Board’s mandate typically encompasses horizon scanning for risks such as Antimicrobial resistance, emerging zoonoses like SARS-CoV-2 variants, and technological impacts from artificial intelligence developments exemplified by platforms from OpenAI and research at institutions like Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It issues guidance for implementation of instruments including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Functions include commissioning assessments in coordination with the United Nations Environment Programme, advising the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, and supporting treaty bodies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Intellectual Property Organization on technical questions.
The Board operates through thematic working groups aligned with entities such as the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change subsidiary bodies. Secretariat support often comes from the United Nations Office at Geneva, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and liaison officers seconded from national bodies including the German Research Foundation and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. It convenes plenaries inspired by models used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness.
Membership draws eminent figures from institutions such as the Royal Society, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the African Academy of Sciences, the Indian National Science Academy, and the Brazilian Academy of Sciences. Appointments are generally made by the UN Secretary-General in consultation with chairs of the United Nations General Assembly and regional groups represented by delegations from United States, China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Nigeria, Japan, Germany, France, and United Kingdom. Members often hold positions at universities like University of Oxford, Harvard University, Peking University, University of Tokyo, and research organizations such as CERN and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory.
Outputs include policy briefs, technical reports, and rapid assessments used by entities such as the World Health Organization for International Health Regulations decision-making, and by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change for mitigation and adaptation guidance. The Board collaborates on systematic reviews with the Cochrane Collaboration, scenario modelling with teams at NASA, European Space Agency, and economic analysis drawing on expertise from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. It organizes stakeholder dialogues with civil society groups like Amnesty International and scientific forums such as the World Economic Forum and the G7 Science Ministers' meetings.
The Board provides technical inputs to the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Children's Fund, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on topics ranging from climate-induced displacement to pandemic preparedness. It informs negotiations at multilateral fora such as the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties, meetings of the World Health Assembly, and deliberations within the Security Council when scientific matters intersect with peace and security issues. Member States engage through national academies, ministries of science and technology such as Ministry of Science and Technology (China), and agencies like the National Institutes of Health and European Commission research directorates.
Critiques focus on balancing representation between Global North institutions like the Royal Society and Global South bodies such as the Academy of Science of South Africa, managing conflicts involving corporate actors like Google and Pfizer, and ensuring independence from political influence associated with powerful Member States including United States and China. Challenges include integrating indigenous knowledge holders represented by organizations like the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, addressing data gaps highlighted by World Meteorological Organization and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessments, and sustaining funding without undue influence from foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.