STRENGTHENING INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FOR THE BENEFIT OF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2013 The long-term icsu vision is for a world where excellence in science is effectively translated into policy- making and socio-economic development. In such a world, universal and equitable access to scientific data and information is a reality and all countries have the scientific capacity to use these and to contribute to generating the new knowledge that is necessary to establish their own development pathways in a sustainable manner. The International Council for Science (icsu) is a non-governmental organization with a global membership of national scientific bodies (120 members, representing 140 countries) and international scientific unions (31 members). icsu mobilizes the knowledge and resources of the international scientific community to strengthen international science for the benefit of society. 2 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT In early November 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) struck the Philippines. Horrific as the destruction was, it was for many but a taste of “the new normal”, a future in which escalating human pressures drive environmental changes beyond known thresholds. What does this mean for the actions and programmes of the Interna- tional Council for Science? The icsu family has the potential to propel humanity towards a sustainable future. Scien- tists involved in our programmes have always produced excellent science. And a host of new programmes are poised to continue this legacy – Integrated Research on Disaster Risk, Urban Health and Well- grammes and activities throughout the years. In the five years being, World Data System, Future Earth, and many more. Fu- since my election, humanity marched on in an unsustaina- ture Earth, in particular, offers an exciting vision for what ble direction. Sustainable development is still an aspiration sustainability science can do: fully involving stakeholders, rather than a reality. We must therefore ask: has icsu trod the mobilizing all regions, and driving better policies at every right course? What have we achieved? How can we do better? level – from defining a set of global Sustainable Development Third, we must be much more action-oriented. As Future Goals to those of nations and cities. Earth’s vision states, science should have a sense of urgency But if we wish to fulfil our potential, we will need to strive to contribute to solving real-world problems, to bring about even harder, especially on three fronts: different ways of doing things. That means actively connect- First, let us better harness the tremendous power of our ing knowledge to action, also by stepping up our communi- membership. This echoes my words in last year’s Annual Re- cation and engagement with decision-makers and stakehold- port. The April 2013 Unions Meeting in Paris offered a pleth- ers. Only then will the evidence we scientists provide make a ora of ideas, suggesting concrete projects where National real difference and ultimately transform the world for better. Members, Unions, Programmes and Regional Offices could A world in which Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) is the “new collaborate to strengthen research, boost science education, normal” is not the future we want for our children and grand- influence policies and more. These should serve as a model children. For humanity to be able to respond to the challenges for our future efforts: icsu’s core strength lies in its diverse posed by anthropogenic environmental changes, it needs to global membership. rely on solid scientific information providing pathways for hu- Second, let us examine our true impact rigorously. At the mans to adapt to and mitigate these changes. It is our duty as General Assembly in August 2014, we will receive early re- scientists to deliver that knowledge in a timely and use able sults from the External Review, the first since 1996. This is a manner. Let us harness the strengths of our membership, hon- tremendous opportunity for icsu to examine what has been estly examine the impacts we make, and work relentlessly to achieved since the 1996 Review and make sure that it is on connect knowledge to real, tangible action. track for the challenges of the coming decades. I will also pass the Presidency to Professor Gordon McBean, an excellent sci- Yuan Tseh Lee entist and leader who has played an active role in icsu pro- President 3 MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR During 2013, the International together with the Chief Science Ad- Council for Science, with its mem- visor to the Prime Minister of New bers, bodies and partners, has made Zealand, a landmark conference real and substantial progress in de- of eminent science advisers to the livering its mission – to strengthen world’s leaders. The focus of discus- international science for the bene- sions will be on how, practically, sci- fit of society. We look forward to our ence advice has been used by gov- work in 2014 which promises to be ernments and the opportunities to a defining year for our endeavours learn from experiences in different and we will have the outputs from contexts. an independent review to help chart icsu’s Committee on Freedom the way ahead. and Responsibility in the conduct We have made major advances of Science (cfrs) continues to act as in each of the themes of our strategic plan, with its special the guardian of the Principle of Universality. During 2013, is- focus on disciplinary, regional and organizational integra- sues relating to the visas for scientists to attend international tion. Under International Research Collaboration, the new scientific meetings have particularly come to the fore, with programme on Urban Health and Wellbeing is taking shape. I serious concerns expressed by icsu to national authorities am delighted that the International Programme Office will be worldwide. Looking forward, improving access to research hosted by the Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Acad- data, particularly for integrated research, is a key topic for two emy of Sciences in Xiamen, China – which will provide a sci- of our data-related bodies, codata and the World Data System. entifically excellent and inspiring environment to drive the To this end, they are jointly co-sponsoring, SciDataCon 2014, programme forward. Future Earth, a major new programme a major conference on data sharing and integration for global on research for sustainability is now rapidly moving into sustainability, which will be held in New Delhi in November. full implementation, with the expectation that we will an- This progress during 2013, and our expectations for 2014, nounce new research opportunities and a globally distribut- would not have been possible without the active support of ed secretariat during 2014. And all of the more established the icsu membership, interdisciplinary bodies, partners and programmes have continued to deliver high-quality, high-im- a large community of scientists and stakeholders who gener- pact research. ously give of their time. We are particularly grateful to the Under the theme of Science for Policy, building on our French Government for their continued support and hosting work at the Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development, of the Secretariat. As we look towards the General Assembly icsu continues to represent science at the UN in the process to be held in August in Auckland, New Zealand, we acknowl- aimed at establishing a set of global Sustainable Development edge, thank and celebrate all those who have made our con- Goals. In 2013, we also saw the appointment of a UN Scien- tinuing achievements possible. tific Advisory Board for Sustainable Development, a body for which we have long argued. Looking forward, with the help Steven Wilson of our GeoUnion cluster, the Integrated Research on Disaster Executive Director Risk programme, and regional initiatives, we will contribute vital scientific knowledge and capability to the post-Hyogo framework for disaster risk reduction. We are also organizing, 4 INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH COLLABORATION 5 INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH COLLABORATION 6 INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH COLLABORATION FUTURE EARTH 2013 was a year of transition for Future Earth, the 10-year research initia- tive that is aiming to provide the knowledge required to tackle the most urgent challenges to global sustainability. Future Earth is sponsored by the members of the Science and Technology Alliance for Global Sustainability comprising the International Council for Science (icsu), the International Social Science Council (issc), the Belmont Forum of funding agencies, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (unesco), the United Nations Environment Programme (unep), the United Nations University (UNU), and the World Meteorological Organization (wmo) as an observer. The Transition Team published its final report, which will un- derpin the governance structure and research framework for Future Earth, and the programme took great strides towards becoming operational with the appointment of an interim Director and Secretariat. Frans Berkhout, appointed interim Director of Future Earth in July 2013, is leading its implementation, bringing existing and new research commu- nities and stakeholders together to deliver solutions-oriented knowledge for global sustainability. A further four members of staff have been recruit- ed to the interim Secretariat, which is based at the icsu offices in Paris. ENCE I , S I TY SC I VERS GENES I O I OD I R OF B I HA C ENDRY, ENDRY, H NDREW ONARY FRAMEWORK FOR B FRAMEWORK ONARY I A HOTO BY BY HOTO P DE AN EVOLUT DE I ALAPAGOS. ALAPAGOS. G NG TO PROV TO NG I M I AND IGUANA ON L A PROJECT A A PROJECT INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH COLLABORATION 7 Future Earth will connect science and society, and its role in mobilizing science and stakeholders across the world has been strengthened by a se- ries of meetings and events that took place across the world in 2013. This included a set of national and regional workshops and consultations. Involving early career researchers is a key priority for Future Earth.