Sesili Gogiberidze Participated in a Symposium on Science Diplomacy at UNESCO

On November 9, Sesili Gogiberidze, Head of the Scientific Research Department at Caucasus International University, participated in an international symposium titled “Rethinking Science Diplomacy in a Changing World”, held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The event marked the tenth anniversary of the Foreign Ministries Science and Technology Advice Network (FMSTAN) and served as an official side event to the Paris Peace Forum.

Philippe Étienne, President of the Paris Peace Forum, welcomed and addressed the participants. One of the keynote presentations—focusing on the role of science in multilateral collaboration—was delivered by Quarraisha Abdool Karim, President of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University.

The panel, titled “Multilateral Cooperation Under Pressure”, explored how science diplomacy can strengthen international collaboration amidst growing geopolitical and technological competition. The discussion was moderated by Stéphanie Balme, Director of the Centre for International Studies at Sciences Po.

Participants in the discussion included Denise Pires de Carvalho, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences; Robbert Dijgraaf, President of the International Science Council (ISC); Annette Koo, Director of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM); Laban Coblentz, former Chief Strategic Advisor at ITER; Joanna Wiśniewska, Head of Global Engagement at the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA); and Yoran Beldengrün, Policy Analyst at the OECD Global Science Forum.

In the photo, Sesili Gogiberidze is pictured with one of the symposium’s keynote speakers, Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim.