EU Science Diplomacy Alliance participates in first AU–EU Dialogue on Science Diplomacy
On 22 October 2025, the EU Science Diplomacy Alliance participated in the African Union (AU)-European Union (EU) Dialogue on Science Diplomacy, held back-to-back with the AU-EU High-Level Policy Dialogue.
This first-ever gathering underscored the shared commitment of both continents to fostering strong, inclusive, and equitable science diplomacy partnerships. This goal is reflected in the Thematic Entry Point “How to build equitable Science Diplomacy between the North and the South”, which was launched during the Alliance’s tenure of AVRIST.
The event provided a platform for open exchange on opportunities for cooperation and synergies among major science diplomacy initiatives across Africa and Europe, such as the European Framework for Science Diplomacy, the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa, the AU–EU Innovation Agenda, and the EU Science Diplomacy Alliance itself.
The Alliance was presented as a growing community of knowledge and practice, serving as an open platform where strategic initiatives between African and European stakeholders can take shape and flourish.
Committed to advancing this shared vision, the EU Science Diplomacy Alliance reaffirmed its readiness to strengthen cooperation with African partners and to promote inclusive, sustainable, and forward-looking science diplomacy.
Alliance speakers included:
- Jean-Christophe Mauduit, Associate Professor of Science Diplomacy, University College London
- Alessandro Lombardo, CEI, Chair, EU Science Diplomacy Alliance
- Marga Gual Soler, GESDA
- Olfa Zéribi, Regional Director Western Europe, Agence universitaire de la Francophonie
- Pierre-Bruno Ruffini, Past Chair of the EU Science Diplomacy Alliance, Université Le Havre-Normandie
- Vincent Fautrel, IRD Representative to the EU, IRD – Institut de recherche pour le développement
- Hildegard Lingnau, Director for Africa, Middle East and Turkey, DLR Project Management Agency
- Gilles Pecassou, Deputy Director General, IRD – Institut de recherche pour le développement