NEWS
From January 26 to 30, 2025, the Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue and the 3rd International Science Council (ISC) General Assembly were held in Muscat, Oman. Up to 500 experts and scholars from various fields around the world participated in the event. The conference was organized by ISC and hosted by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation of Oman (MOHERI). It aimed to promote discussions among ISC members and partners from different scientific fields on interdisciplinary and strategic challenges, and to explore priority areas and directions for international scientific cooperation. Prof. Changlin Wang, Secretary-General, and Dr. Zhen Liu, Executive Director, of the International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE), a member of ISC, attended the event.
Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue
On January 26, during the pre-conference workshop, extensive discussions were held on topics such as scientific responsibility, data policies, AI, and especially the role of science in sustainable development policy-making. On January 27, the Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue officially opened, with H.E. Prof. Rahma Al-Mahrooqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation of Oman, and the ISC President Sir Peter Gluckman delivering opening remarks respectively. Over the two-day dialogue, experts engaged in in-depth exchanges on current issues such as open science, science diplomacy, international scientific cooperation, emerging technologies and scientific development, the International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development, and future-oriented science education. The event concluded with the adoption of the Muscat Declaration, a call to action for equitable access to knowledge, transformative science systems, and strengthened international collaboration to address pressing global challenges.
The 3rd ISC General Assembly
On January 29, the 3rd ISC General Assembly opened. Sir Peter Gluckman, the President; Dr. Salvatore Aricò, the CEO; and Prof. Motoko Kotani, the Chair of the Standing Committee for Science Planning at the ISC, delivered keynote speeches respectively.
ISC Digital Journeys Cohort Side Event
ISDE, as a member of ISC, sent its delegation represented by Prof. Changlin Wang and Dr. Zhen Liu to participate in the ISC Member Forum, engaging deeply in discussions on fostering the development and networking among ISC members. For the first time, ISC established the "ISC Digital Journeys Cohort," and ISDE was selected as one of the 11 organizations globally to join this initiative. It was also invited to attend a special side-event for executives during the assembly. This transformative initiative encourages international scientific organizations to use digital tools or new ways of working to engage and connect, generate new value, and drive the fulfillment of each member organization's mission.
The Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue is one of the series of global knowledge dialogues organized by ISC, which has been held annually in different countries and regions since 2022, covering Africa, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean. It aims to promote international scientific cooperation among scientists, research funders, the private sector, and NGOs. The ISC General Assembly is its highest authority, composed of representatives from its members, and has been held every three years since 2018.
