Today, the Council adopted a recommendation on a European Union framework for science diplomacy, following a proposal by the European Commission.
The framework underlines our ambition to strengthen Europe’s role as a global leader in science diplomacy. It enables the EU and its Member States to take a more strategic and coherent approach to science diplomacy.
At today’s meeting of EU Research Ministers Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, said:
“Science diplomacy is a powerful tool for promoting our interests, our values, and our sovereignty on the global stage. By working with long-standing and new partners alike, we are building bridges and creating a joint positive agenda that turns knowledge into trust and opportunity.”
The proposed EU framework provides guidance and coordination for Member States and relevant stakeholders through a set of strategic, operational and enabling actions, complemented by supporting actions at the European Union level.
A central element of the new framework is the promotion of values which are under pressure in many parts of the world, starting with scientific and academic freedom. These values are not only part of a shared European identity, but they are also assets that help the EU attract and retain talent in an increasingly competitive global environment.
Horizon Europe plays a key role in this context, being the most powerful tool of global science diplomacy for the European Union. Leading research and innovation powers such as Canada, South Korea and Japan decided to join the programme, demonstrating their trust and aligned interests in supporting freedom, democracy and a rules-based international order.
Background
Responding to a call by Member States to develop a European Science Diplomacy Agenda, the European Commission had adopted on 27 February 2026 the proposal for a Council recommendation on a European Union framework for science diplomacy. Its main objective is to provide a shared vision, common narrative and pragmatic code of conduct in the field of science diplomacy, in particular in support of:
- safeguarding and promoting the Union’s democratic values, strategic interests and technological and data sovereignty
- strengthening the Union’s position as one of the leading global science and technology actors through open and secure international scientific cooperation
- enhancing trust in science, fostering the uptake of foresight and scientific advice in decision-making processes, and promoting public engagement
- maximising the impact of the Union’s research and innovation potential for the pursuit of peace, protection of human rights, multilateralism and a rule-based international order
- reinforcing the Union’s commitment to managing global public goods and commons sustainably, fighting the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, and contributing to the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals
Another objective is to foster coherence and optimise resources, both at Union and Member State level.
The proposal for a Council recommendation on a European Union framework for science diplomacy builds on the expert report “A European Framework for Science Diplomacy – Recommendations of the EU Science Diplomacy Working Groups”, which was published by the European Commission in February 2025, being the result of a year-long consultation process that involved 130 science and diplomacy experts.
