European Commission’s Deputy Director-General for Research & Innovation, Maria Cristina Russo, and the President of the International Science Council (ISC), Sir Peter Gluckman, formally agreed on the transfer of the Secretariat of the Multilateral Dialogue on principles and values for international cooperation in research & innovation (R&I) to the ISC.
To this end, the Commission has signed a 3-year grant agreement for an amount of €1.2 million with the International Science Council.
Ms Russo noted that the ISC is uniquely placed to host the Secretariat, as it has been actively involved in this initiative from the very beginning. She pointed to the Council’s independence, reputation, knowledge, global membership, and administrative capacity as key strengths in supporting the Dialogue.
Sir Peter Gluckman welcomed the transfer, highlighting that the Multilateral Dialogue will benefit from the ISC’s extensive global network. He also noted that the Council brings together more than 250 international scientific unions and associations, as well as national and regional scientific organisations, such as academies and research councils, across the natural sciences, social sciences and the humanities.
This transfer will strengthen the Multilateral Dialogue as a platform for countries to exchange perspectives and work towards shared principles for international cooperation in research and innovation. From the second half of 2026, the International Science Council will lead the Multilateral Dialogue into its second phase, expanding participation worldwide with the support of the European Commission and key partners.