India and UNESCO are set to host the 2024 Chief Science Advisers Roundtable (CSAR) at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris, France on 6 September 2024. This event, co-organized by India’s Office of Principal Scientific Adviser and UNESCO’s Natural Sciences Sector, builds on the Sherpa-track initiative introduced during India’s G20 Presidency in 2023.
The roundtable will welcome delegations from 28 countries, each led by their Chief Science Advisers or equivalent officials, along with representatives from 6 international organizations. The central theme for this year’s discussions is “Fostering open science, bridging knowledge asymmetry, and building global science advisory capacity.” Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and Dr. Lidia Brito, UNESCO’s Assistant Director General for Natural Sciences, will co-chair the event.
Prior to the main session on 6 September, an open knowledge session will explore the impact of science advisory mechanisms on public trust in science and discuss strategies for enhancing science advisory capacities at various levels. This session will facilitate dialogue among Chief Science Advisers, UNESCO Permanent Delegations, and representatives from international scientific and advisory bodies.
Looking ahead, the 2024 roundtable is expected to set the stage for future initiatives, with South Africa preparing to continue this important work.
