Nepali scientist and policymaker among participants of the 12th AAAS-TWAS course in Trieste
KATHMANDU/, JULY 22
Twenty scientists and policymakers from ten countries, including Nepal, have gathered in Trieste, Italy, for the 12th AAAS-TWAS Course on Science Diplomacy, being held from July 21–24.
The course, jointly organized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), aims to strengthen collaboration between science and diplomacy to tackle global challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and biodiversity loss.
Representing Nepal are Sulochana Manandhar, a molecular microbiologist at the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit-Nepal, and Madan Kumar Upadhyaya, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population. They are part of 10 country pairs consisting of an early-career scientist and a policymaker working in science-related fields.
The four-day course focuses on equipping participants with tools to influence decision-making, contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and foster international cooperation in science and innovation.
"Science diplomacy is not a mere concept: it is a strategic instrument for peace, prosperity, and sustainable development," said Minister Giuseppe Pastorelli, deputy director general for the promotion of Italy at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Launched in 2014, the course has trained 388 alumni to date, supported by partners such as the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Golden Family Foundation, and the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD).
Speakers at the 2025 edition include diplomats and experts from institutions such as UNESCO, the Royal Society, and the Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change.
AAAS CEO Sudip Parikh emphasized the importance of science diplomacy in today's complex geopolitical climate, calling it "a critical tool to build trust and prepare for future crises."
TWAS President Quarraisha Abdool Karim added that science, technology, and innovation must serve inclusive and sustainable development worldwide.
