The International Science Council (ISC) has unveiled its 2023 annual report, marking a year of substantial achievements and strategic developments and reflecting an elevated profile and broader impact in the scientific community.
Annual Report 2023
As we reflect on last year’s achievements, I am immensely proud and humbled of the dedication and hard work of our Members, Affiliated Bodies, Fellows, and the many ISC champions who volunteer their time to our committees or working groups. Your unwavering commitment to the ISC’s mission has truly made our impact shine. Together, we continue to elevate the global voice of science, ensuring that it remains a powerful force for positive change.
I am equally proud of the work of the ISC Secretariat—a small but extremely competent team with both expertise and experience, serving the ISC Members and, importantly, upholding the values that both the Members and the ISC carry in ensuring that science remains free, independent, and impactful.
A cornerstone of 2023 was the comprehensive overhaul of ISC’s governance. Through extensive consultations with its Members, the ISC revised its statutes, showcasing its ability to adapt to the evolving scientific and societal landscapes. These reforms ensure that the Council remains responsive and relevant, addressing the pressing challenges of our time.
The ISC also fortified its relationships within the United Nations system, establishing liaison mechanisms and launching the UN Group of Friends on Science for Action. Partnerships with UN agencies such as UNESCO, UNEP, and UNDP have been instrumental, enabling the ISC to mobilize scientific expertise from its membership to support crucial UN processes.
A significant strengthening of the ISC’s science coordination capacities was achieved with the launch of the Centre for Science Futures and the appointment of Dr. Vanessa McBride as Science Director, ensuring that the ISC is both forward-looking and responsive to current needs.
Amid global conflicts and increasing polarization, the ISC’s Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science (CFRS) upheld its principle of non-discrimination within the scientific community, ensuring that scientific endeavours remained unbiased and free from instrumentalization. The ISC also focused on the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, addressing the impacts of AI on science and releasing frameworks for AI governance to contribute to the global discourse on technological advancements.
Overall, 2023 has been a year of remarkable progress for the ISC. With expanded functions, revamped science coordination, constitutional reforms, and a strengthened Secretariat – the Council is well-prepared for the future.
As we enter the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, the ISC looks forward to continuing its mission with renewed vigor and commitment. The upcoming General Assembly in Oman in January 2025 promises to be a milestone event, reflecting on past achievements and setting the stage for future endeavours.
Read more about The right to participate in science
Read more about Unpacking the ‘right to science’ – from origins to ISC advocacy
Read more about ISC supports the COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action at first-ever Digitalisation Day
