United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR)

Yesterday, UNU-CPR and the Geneva Science-Policy Interface (GSPI), in collaboration with the GESDA - Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator, convened the latest session of the Science-Policy Briefing Series in the run up to COP30, drawing on the work of the UN Secretary-General’s UN Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). The briefing brought together diplomats and scientists to consider how synthetic biology can address climate change, particularly through low carbon fuel and industrial materials innovations. Key themes included: 🔹 Synthetic biology as a potential tool for hard-to-decarbonize sectors – from sustainable fuels to low-carbon materials; 🔹 Governance and regulation – addressing fragmented standards, risk communication and public trust; 🔹 Equity and access – ensuring inclusive participation and responsible innovation; 🔹 Science–diplomacy opportunities ahead of COP30 – aligning policy, investment and technology for transformative outcomes. The event featured insights from Yensi Flores Bueso (University College Cork, Global Young Academy), Felix Moronta Barrios (ICGEB, Global Young Academy), and Sophie Gilbert (GESDA), and was moderated by Adam Day, Head of UNU-CPR's Geneva Office, with participation from the SAB and GSPI. 📄 Read the Science Brief on Synthetic Biology: https://lnkd.in/eiHapGt3 🌐 Learn more about the Science-Policy Briefing Series: https://lnkd.in/exbca-U4

Yesterday, UNU-CPR, in collaboration with The British Academy, convened a workshop on Designing Next-Generation Science-Policy Interfaces: Models, Challenges, and Opportunities at the Japan Society in New York. The event forms part of UNU-CPR’s Global Governance Innovation Platform (#GGI). The workshop explored how Science-Policy Interfaces (SPIs) – mechanisms that connect scientific evidence with multilateral decision-making – can evolve to meet emerging global challenges. Participants reflected on lessons from established models such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), recognizing opportunities to integrate diverse knowledge systems and design more adaptive, inclusive institutions. Themes touched on in the discussions included: 🔹 Learning from existing SPI models and their institutional design; 🔹 Incorporating Indigenous and local knowledge into global processes; 🔹 Balancing formal and informal science-policy mechanisms; 🔹 Ensuring future SPIs are both scientifically robust and politically relevant. The discussions will inform ongoing UNU-CPR work on strengthening the role of science in multilateral governance. 🌐 Find out more: https://lnkd.in/evQ8dGgs

What does the rise of AI-enabled autonomous weapons mean for international humanitarian law? In the latest episode of Multilateralism UNpacked – released during UN Disarmament Week – UNU-CPR’s Eleonore Fournier-Tombs explores this critical question with Laurent Gisel, Head of the Arms and Conduct of Hostilities Unit at the International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC. From drones that can select targets independently to AI systems shaping military decisions, the conversation exposes how emerging technologies are challenging the principles of the Geneva Conventions. Drawing on a recent ICRC report to the UN Secretary-General and the ongoing activities of the UN’s First Committee, which deals with disarmament and international security, the podcast considers the various military uses of AI and the urgent need for a new international treaty on lethal autonomous weapons systems. 🎧 Listen here → https://lnkd.in/ewmGJtN5 #UNDisarmamentWeek #AI #HumanitarianLaw #UNUCPR #MultilateralismUnpacked #ICRC

Hundreds of multilateral mechanisms have been built over the past 80 years – yet policymakers tend to rely on a small number of high-profile examples when designing new institutions. Overreliance on well-known models can lead to a poor fit – as key differences in political context, cooperation and State incentives are often overlooked. A new policy brief by Julia C Morse for UNU-CPR’s Global Governance Innovation (#GGI) initiative outlines an alternative approach: building on the concept of “institutional mimicry” while taking a more systematic approach sensitive to context and the limitations of previous models.  Read ‘A Systematic Approach to Institutional Mimicry’ here: https://lnkd.in/eHtGcJQp

Last week in DC, Nicole Goldin, PhD joined global leaders at the 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund to explore the future of development finance. From debt and demographics to AI and middle powers, the conversations reflected both uncertainty and opportunity for sustainable, inclusive growth. She reflects how voices from the Global South and middle powers are increasingly shaping the conversation, and the need to “do development differently.”

This month’s UNU-CPR #Insights explores bold ideas to shape the UN80 reform agenda, proposes a new "full-spectrum" approach to unlock climate finance, and rethinks how we design institutions for the future. We also examine the General Assembly’s evolving peace and security agenda and the UN’s growing role in AI governance. 📬 Stay informed – read past editions or subscribe to receive UNU-CPR Insights directly to your inbox: https://lnkd.in/gUuUrGxZ

That’s a wrap on The World Bank - International Monetary Fund #AnnualMeetings 2025! All week I talked all things #EquitableDevelopment, #globaleconomics and finance – from #debt to demographics to data; from #multilateralism to #middlepowers, private sector, and the future of international cooperation; from #jobs, jobs, jobs to #AI, AI, AI. I tuned into several interesting events on the official program across 19th st, on jobs, small AI, emerging from #FCV conflict-fragility, stablecoins in the future of finance. And, as a nonresident Senior Fellow, I joined Atlantic Council Josh Lipsky in their almost dizzying slate of Minister and leader events, analyses and expert content creation onsite and at ACHQ including with #HailemariamDesalegn, #OdileRenaudBasso #RémyRioux #NadiaCalviño; my specifics of which I have and will continue to post on– and all of which you can catch up on here- >  https://lnkd.in/e6_2w3zp Otherwise around town, I’m grateful to have participated and joined several events, including - 🎤on middle powers and new alliances with #ReinventingBrettonWoods, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, United Nations Foundation - on dev strategy w Arturo Franco DSLN - on the global economy finance with Bretton Woods Committee - on credit ratings with Moody's Corporation and Gates Foundation - on a Congressional view (Rep. French Hill) of U.S. role in development finance with Devex Still alot to digest but initial macro takeaways: 💡 Economic uncertainty still looms, met with unease about the state and future of development cooperation and finance: ODA, trade, and investment decline as debt challenges rise💡 Neither demographics nor digital are destiny, but both exert pressures or open up possibilities (jobs, tech/AI could be complicating or w/strategic investments policies, catalyzing factors) 💡 It wasn’t only what leaders said and signaled that mattered, but who was talking and being listened to – with louder voices from the Global South and middle powers stepping up to lead among the chorus of countries who remain committed to multilateralism, ready to support and engage through IFIs and come together to make meaningful progress. This is encouraging 💡 There is a big appetite/need to do development very differently, recognizing the narrative needs to change too; toward a model that embraces new realities & shifting rationales, uses new tools and partnerships-with private sector. Solidarity<>Mutuality. Need more Foreign Affairs <> Finance 💡 On key drivers & challenges confronting the global economy, the World Bank has found its north star– jobs (and the data around it) - at the center of everything infrastructure, ag, health, education. IMF has also tacked somewhat to the jobs agenda (esp. in relation to domestic resource mobilization, addressing conflict/fragility), but has yet to find its true focal point (“get your house in order”?) The stakes couldn’t be higher. We know this at United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR)

Yesterday, Dr. Adam Day, Head of UNU-CPR's Geneva Office, joined a discussion on the role of universities in implementing the Pact for the Future at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU).   Co-hosted by the United Nations University, the United Nations in China, BFSU and South Africa's University of Cape Town, the event brought together representatives from the UN system, China's Ministry of Education, and universities from around the world to consider how higher education can drive progress on the Pact and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.   Dr. Day acknowledged how universities can strengthen their alignment with the Pact by providing opportunities for youth, scholars, and educators to engage in addressing global challenges.   Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eaY3JW5b   For more details on the event: https://lnkd.in/ew88aJTa #PactfortheFuture #SDGs #2030