Dates: 9 – 26 September 2025
This year’s theme highlights the critical role of scientific innovation in ensuring Earth’s stability and resilience, emphasizing the need for responsible science that respects the planet’s natural limits and prioritizes the well-being of society and its people.
The true value of nature is often overlooked in decision-making, with short-term financial gains prioritized while environmental costs are ignored. Science shows that biodiversity, water, food, health, and climate change are deeply interconnected.
A science-driven, holistic approach is essential to effectively address the complex challenges and build a sustainable and equitable future for all.
The previous Science Summit in 2024 hosted influential global leaders who play pivotal roles in shaping sustainable development and environmental stewardship:
Science is indispensable for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and any Development Agenda. It provides the evidence-based knowledge necessary to address complex global challenges such as poverty, health, and environmental degradation. Scientific research informs policy decisions, ensuring they are effective and sustainable. Moreover, science fosters innovation and technological advancements that drive progress across all SDGs. By integrating scientific insights, we can develop holistic solutions that promote economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
Explore innovative financing mechanisms to support
science-driven solutions for global challenges.
Discuss the role of governments, industry, and international organizations in funding sustainable scientific initiatives.
Identifying opportunities for Science from the Financing for Development Conference (Ffd4) conclusions that will be held in Sevilla in July 2025.
Highlight how industries can translate scientific objectives
into actionable projects.
Showcase case studies of successful collaborations between science and industry to create tangible societal impacts.
Focus on implementation strategies that yield measurable changes in people’s lives.
Share best practices for scaling up scientific breakthroughs to improve health, education, climate resilience, and economic opportunities.
Interactive sessions dedicated to fostering partnerships among scientists, policymakers, and business leaders.
Promote solutions-oriented dialogue on aligning scientific research with community needs.
Hybrid Format for Enhanced Engagement
In-Person Event in New York: A portion of the program will be hosted in New York City from 17th to 26th September 2025, bringing stakeholders together for collaborative discussions and strategic networking.
Participants can engage online and offline, ensuring flexibility for those with varied preferences or constraints.
Affordable and Open Participation
Participation in the Science Summit is free of charge, ensuring an inclusive and open platform for scientific engagement worldwide. The Summit provides free or subsidized access, enabling scientists from all backgrounds to contribute to the program and attend without financial barriers.
Our goal is to amplify diverse scientific voices, including those from local communities in both developed and developing countries.
Inclusivity Breaking Barriers
The Science Summit 2025 is committed to fostering inclusivity by
breaking barriers to global scientific participation. It will bring together representatives from industry, academia, governments, communities, NGOs, civil society, and international organisations across all five continents, ensuring a truly diverse and global dialogue.
The summit actively seeks to include voices from underrepresented groups, including women, youth, and scientists from developing countries.
Key sections of the programme such as the Youth Parliament and PhD Sponsorships for Developing Nations foster equitable representation
in the global scientific community.
Global Access Through Virtual Programming
The summit’s virtual platform eliminates geographic, financial, and physical barriers, allowing participants from even the most remote regions to engage.
All sessions are designed to accommodate diverse time zones and languages, maximising reach and participation.
Localized and Regional Focus
Initiatives like Country Days spotlight regional scientific efforts, showcasing diverse cultures, innovations, and approaches to shared challenges.
The summit provides a platform for collaboration between nations, aligning local solutions with global goals.
This session highlights Africa’s rising science leaders shaping innovation, policy, and partnerships across the continent. Speakers will share how bold leadership advances research ecosystems, drives sustainable development, and positions Africa at the forefront of global scientific collaboration.
Impact of AI on Science for the SDGs and the United Nations Report on Governing AI for Humanity report
This session will explore how artificial intelligence transforms scientific research and innovation to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It will also examine the implementation of the United Nations’ landmark report Governing AI for Humanity, highlighting opportunities, risks, and pathways for ensuring AI serves global sustainability and equity.
Digital Health
The Digital Health plenary will explore how technology transforms healthcare access, delivery, and equity worldwide. Leaders will discuss strategies to harness digital innovation to advance Universal Health Coverage and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Industry support for the UN SDGs and the Pact for the Future
This session will highlight how industry leaders align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the upcoming Pact for the Future. Speakers will showcase innovative partnerships, strategies, and commitments driving sustainable growth and global resilience.
Climate Innovation for a Resilient Future
This session will highlight scientific breakthroughs and innovative technologies accelerating climate action, building resilience, and supporting sustainable development pathways worldwide.
The Future of Global Health R&D
This session will explore how strategic investment in health research and development can drive breakthroughs for global health equity, pandemic preparedness, and universal healthcare systems.
Science for the SDGS
This session will explore the essential role of science in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting how research, innovation, and evidence-based policies can drive transformative progress across all sectors.
Indigenous knowledge and the UN Pact for the Future
This session will examine the critical role of Indigenous knowledge in advancing the UN Pact for the Future. It will explore how traditional wisdom can inform sustainable development, climate action, and inclusive global governance.
Flagship for Global Food Security
This session will focus on advancing global food security through innovation, partnerships, and policy action. It will highlight flagship initiatives that address hunger, resilience, and sustainable agriculture and support the SDGs.
GDPR, AI Act and EHDS Impacts on Health Research Globally
This session will examine how the GDPR, the AI Act, and the European Health Data Space (EHDS) are reshaping the landscape for health research, balancing innovation, data protection, and ethical governance in a rapidly evolving digital era.
Strengthening Science Diplomacy for Global Challenges
This session will examine how science diplomacy fosters international collaboration, builds trust across borders, and enables joint action on urgent global challenges such as climate change, health crises, and food security.
Data-Driven Solutions for the SDGs
This session will explore the role of big data, open science, and predictive analytics in driving evidence-based policymaking and accelerating progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Advancing Genomics for Global Health
This session will discuss how cutting-edge genomics research transforms health outcomes worldwide, focusing on equitable access, ethical frameworks, and innovations to support public health systems.
The Digital Divide: Science and Equity
This session will examine how science and technology can bridge digital inequalities, ensuring digital transformation benefits all communities and supports inclusive, sustainable development.
Financing Innovation for the Global South
This session will explore innovative financing mechanisms to strengthen scientific research and technological innovation across the Global South, unlocking new sustainable and inclusive development opportunities.
The Brain Economy for One Health: 21st Century Response to 21st Century Challenges
This session will explore how the Brain Economy—integrating knowledge, innovation, and human capital—can drive One Health solutions and offer a transformative response to interconnected global health, environmental, and societal challenges.
One Health
This session will examine the One Health approach, recognise the deep connections between human, animal, and environmental health, and highlight integrated strategies to tackle global challenges, including pandemics and climate change.
IPBES Nexus Assessment
This session will present the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Nexus Assessment, offering groundbreaking insights into the interconnections between biodiversity, water, food, and health. It will highlight integrated solutions to address the world’s most urgent and interlinked sustainability challenges.
Women in Science: Powering Sustainable Development
This session will spotlight the leadership and contributions of women scientists across sectors, highlighting pathways to strengthen gender equity and fully harness talent to achieve the SDGs.
Planetary Health and Biodiversity
This session will explore the science-policy nexus needed to protect planetary health, focusing on preserving biodiversity, mitigating ecosystem degradation, and promoting a healthy, sustainable future for all life on Earth.
Space and Geodetic Infrastructure
This session will explore the vital role of space-based and geodetic infrastructure in supporting sustainable development, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, and scientific innovation on a global scale.
Youth Science Parliament
This session will showcase young scientists’ voices shaping the future of global policy, highlighting how youth-led innovation, research, and advocacy can drive progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
Investing in Science and Technology
This session will explore strategies to mobilise investment in science and technology as catalysts for sustainable development, economic growth, and global resilience, emphasising the need for innovative financing and policy support.
Science and the Future of Cities
This session will focus on the role of science, technology, and innovation in building sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban environments that align with the SDGs and the New Urban Agenda.
Preview of COP17 United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
This session will provide insight into the priorities and themes shaping COP17 of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). It will highlight the critical role of science, policy, and innovation in advancing land restoration, combating desertification, and building resilience against climate change impacts, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and the UNCCD 2030 goals.
The Science Summit 2025 will offer unique opportunities for engagement, collaboration, and
inspiration through the following special social features
An interactive lunch session with main industry, NGOs, academia, international organisation and policy makers representatives.
Engaging with policymakers to advocate for science-based solutions.
Integrating science into international governance and policy frameworks.
Empowering young leaders to voice their perspectives on science and sustainability.
Providing opportunities for students from developing nations to pursue advanced research.
Showcasing the impact of EU-funded research and innovation initiatives.
The summit’s diverse themes and features are designed to foster collaboration, inspire innovation, and catalyze action for a sustainable and equitable future.
ISC Intelligence and its partners will organise the 10th edition of the Science Summit to address how Science contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals
