VUSTA attended The Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue and the 2025 ISC General Assembly
The Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue and the 2025 ISC General Assembly took place from January 26 – 31 at Center of Conference and Exhibition Oman.
The Third International Science Council (ISC) General Assembly, the first in-person General Assembly since the ISC's creation in July 2018, bringing together ISC Members to shape the future of global science. The 2025 ISC General Assembly is hosted by the ISC Member in Oman, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. Vice President Pham Ngoc Linh, representative of VUSTA attended the event.
The Muscat Global Knowledge Dialog was held alongside with the ISC General Assembly, under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Asaad bin Tariq Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs and Special Representative of His Majesty the Sultan.
This global event provides an exceptional opportunity for around 450 scientists, researchers, policymakers and experts from across the globe to discuss on science and innovation. Delegates from international organizations on various fields of science and technology, policy and innovation, of which large technology enterprises, top universities and institutes, research centers and Nobel prize winners also attended the event.
The participants at the Muscat Global Knowledge Dialog
Muscat Global Knowledge Dialog took place January 27 - 28, is an important event along with the third International Science Council General Assembly fostering discussions on global science policy and collaboration and priorities for international collaboration in science in future, shaping future science and the role of science in addressing global challenges.
Interdisciplinary sessions include three streams: science systems and science futures covering issues around current and anticipated developments in science, including AI and other emerging technologies, open science, research assessment, science publishing and transdisciplinary science; Science and just transformations to sustainability focusing on the role of science in the social and environmental transformations needed to move towards sustainability; science and society addressing issues around trust in science, the use of science in and for diplomacy, social cohesion and inequalities, and gender equality.
The outcomes of the Muscat Global Knowledge Dialog and the Third International Science Council General Assembly have far-reaching implications for the scientific community. One of the specific outcomes of this meeting was the Muscat Declaration on Global Science. This important document, approved by all member organizations, emphasizes science as a global public good and calls for equitable access to knowledge. It advocates for the collaborative and transformative role of science to address global challenges. The declaration highlights the need for stronger global cooperation, scientific transparency, and responsible innovation. It also underscores the importance of ensuring that scientific advances benefit everyone, with particular focus on overcoming inequalities and addressing pressing issues like climate change, global health, and sustainability. Moreover, it stresses the need for policies that encourage openness, equity, and accountability in science, especially regarding emerging technologies.
Sir Peter Gluckman, President of the ISC highlighted this General Assembly is an important milestone for the ISC, marking not only our first in-person gathering since 2018 but also a moment to reflect on the immense changes shaping science and society over the past decade. The global scientific community faces increasing challenges - from the erosion of trust in evidence-based policy to the growing influence of disinformation and technological disruption. As the voice of science on the world stage, the ISC must continue to evolve, focus its efforts where it can have the greatest impact, and ensure that scientific knowledge is at the heart of decisions shaping our collective future.
Sir Peter Gluckman, President of the ISC
ISC General Assembly meets every four years and serves as the highest platform for members and partners to discuss strategic issues and explore new pathways for international scientific collaboration. Past assemblies have addressed urgent global challenges such as climate change, food security, global health and technological innovation.
The General Assembly offers a dedicated platform for ISC members to engage in strategic discussions and shape the Council’s future work. Over the two-day event, participants took part in discussions and deliberations addressing the following issues among others: the ISC Strategic Plan 2025–2028 and the related budget; new directions in the portfolio of freedom and responsibility in science; a renovated science agenda setting function; future directions in the ISC membership; critical issues related to the futures of science systems; the ISC regional presence and the establishment of new regional antennas; and final modifications in the revised ISC Statutes and Rules of Procedure. At the event, as a member of ISC, VUSTA given a slide introducing VUSTA and its member’s activities. Representative of VUSTA attending the General Assembly took role of a member to vote for important issues: the revised ISC Statutes and Rules of Procedure and the ISC Strategic Plan 2025–2028 and the related budget.
VUSTA Vice President Phạm Ngọc Linh at the Third ISC General Assembly
VUSTA Vice President Phạm Ngọc Linh taking photo with Prof Yongguan Zhu, Academician Chinese Academy of Sciences, who was recently selected as ISC Vice President term 2025-2028
Perform the role of the advisory council of the ISC Regional Focal Point for Asia-Pacific, VUSTA’s Vice President Phạm Ngọc Linh participated in meetings of the regional focal point for Asia – Pacific discussing initiatives as well as action plans, awards, etc. related to international collaboration in science, engineering and policy of the region.
VUSTA Vice President Phạm Ngọc Linh at one of the sessions of the Muscat Global Knowledge Dialog
The forum witnessed the signing of the establishment of a regional office for the International Science Council in the Middle East in Oman. This initiative aims to facilitate international research cooperation and exchange, and to promote cross-regional scientific dialogue across all domains of science on critical global challenges.
Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation has generously offered a culture experience trip to all delegates to explore the Sultanate of Oman culture on January 31.
Since 2023 VUSTA has been actively engaging ISC’s events and ISC Regional Focal Point for Asia-Pacific. However, it doesn’t perform its potential with a large number of members in different fields of science and technology. VUSTA needs to be more engaged in activities hosted by ISC and its members in order to strengthen international science collaboration from VUSTA’s affiliated organizations and members to help VUSTA proving its role as a bridge to exchange and cooperate science and technology across the globe.
