Invited by the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Commission, representatives of a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, international organisations, academia, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector, gathered in Copenhagen on 17-18 December 2025 to discuss the role of European science diplomacy in a world of geopolitical turmoil. The following are the main outcomes of the discussions1 :
The EU is faced with a geopolitical environment characterised by increasing fragmentation and hostility towards international cooperation, and challenges to multilateralism, the rule of law, and science itself.
Groundbreaking developments in research and innovation have profound impacts on the lives of people as well as on international relations, leading to shifts in power and the need to develop global governance with a strong European voice.
Europe should use science diplomacy to promote its strategic interests and competitiveness.
Science diplomacy is a core element of a "fifth freedom" that will allow the free movement of research, innovation, knowledge and education in the EU, and should support advancing and achieving the European Research Area, both internally and externally.
European science diplomacy must be rooted in the principles and values the EU stands for and promote the EU as a beacon of academic freedom and freedom of scientific research. It must strive to keep the global science system open and secure.
Science diplomacy is a connective tissue that can help foster peace, manage global public goods and commons sustainably, including spaces beyond national jurisdiction, tackling global challenges, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The EU should strive for equitable science diplomacy partnerships with other world regions, in particular low- and middle-income countries including small island developing states, to enable a truly global dialogue about the role science can play in the current geopolitical context.
The EU should make every effort to develop strong channels for science diplomacy directed at global and multilateral organisations and intergovernmental bodies, including international science-policy platforms.
The increasing use of research and innovation as a geopolitical asset must not undermine the ability of scientists to support trust-building, including between nations with strained relations.
Non-state actors such as business, non-governmental organisations, faith-based communities, indigenous peoples, and artists have an important role to play in science diplomacy, helping to bridge divides in a fragmented world.
There is a need to foster training and capacity-building and to create the spaces in which dialogues between science and diplomacy can happen.
Foreign and security policies in Europe must be informed by the best scientific evidence and foresight on scientific-technological advances to help anticipate possible futures.
We look forward to the proposal for a Council recommendation on a European framework for science diplomacy, to be presented by the European Commission in early 2026, and encourage Member States to discuss, adopt and implement it.
1Disclaimer: This text reflects the discussions at the second European Science Diplomacy Conference. It does not necessarily represent the position of the European Commission, the Government of Denmark, or the employers of any of the conference participants.