Wednesday, 18 June 2025, Paris. The Maison de L’UNESCO (Room Il) at 125 avenue de Suffren hosted the first Tech Diplomacy Forum organised by UNESCO. The central theme was Digital Bridges: Technology, Diplomacy, and Global CooperationThe Tech Diplomacy Tech Diplomacy is a specific Science Diplomacy that focuses on the technological dimension of science and encompasses all possible scientific-diplomatic situations involving technology. The role played by the techno-scientific sector of Science Diplomacy became apparent on the international relations scene in 2019, when Denmark called Casper Klynge from Silicon Valley to appoint him “Ambassador of the Tech Industry”, thus becoming the first Tech Ambassador in history. In this in- depth analysis, we report on a portion of the day, highlighting the most important ideas presented.
However, the topic had already been discussed in academic circles since 2017 as part of the InsSciDE (Inventing a shared Science Diplomacy for Europe) project, a Horizon 2020 programme that ended in 2022. The project produced 28 case studies covering 250 years of history and five thematic areas: cultural heritage, health, security, environment, and space. The UNESCO conference, however, focused on the emerging role of private entities.
The three opening speeches, the round table, and theIgnite Talk that closed the first part of the morning offered us some interesting food for thought (quotations are highlighted in quotation marks; they are not literal translations).
The introduction to the proceedings began with the Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences at UNESCO, Dr. Lidia Britowho opened with an observation that left no room for doubt: ‘Advances in science and digital transformation are now more than ever redefining the socio- economic aspects of our lives, transforming them. [..] The models offered by conventional diplomacy are no longer adequate.”Scientific diplomacy in all its forms must therefore be identified as an essential element for anyone involved in diplomacy. The example given is topical and linked to the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ). All actions related to the development of new quantum technologies, as they focus on human action at the intersection of science and politics, can and should be “vectors for peace-building” by establishing a global ministerial dialogue. To pursue this goal, however, it is essential to“embed science diplomacy into foreign policy”.Dr Brito then emphasises that, in this new framework, science diplomacy must be understood as the possibility of introducing a proactive, propositional mechanism, rather than a mere reactive one. Finally, she announces that UNESCO will publish a report on this topic. We would add that, to establish such a virtuous circle, it is necessary to know which good practices of interaction among science, politics, and diplomacy have existed in the past. While it is true that scientific diplomacy has been discussed more frequently only in the last 15 years, historical analyses have shown that similar practices already existed. We therefore reiterate the importance of examining case studies and framing them within this new paradigm.
The second keynote speech will be delivered by Ayumi Moore Aoki, founding president of the Tech Diplomacy ForumOn her website, Ayumi describes herself as a Tech diplomata social entrepreneur, and a mother of four. She is a leading figure in scientific diplomacy in the technology sector. Ayumi is the founder and CEO of Women in Tech® Global, the world’s leading organisation for theempowerment of women in STEAM. She is also a member of UNESCO’s international advisory group of experts on closing the gender gap in science and a member of the Global Future Council. Ayumi continues along the same lines as Dr Brito and asks: “How can we govern a technology that knows no boundaries and transcends national divisions?” This question brings us to the focus of this forum: Microsoft, Apple, and Nvidia have a turnover that exceeds the GDP of France and Germany! Ayumi therefore emphasises that these companies are key players on the international stage. The increasingly significant economic weight of these companies on the world stage places them in a specific role codified by scientific diplomacy under the acronym NSA (Non-State Actors). Traditional diplomacy, carried out by ministries and ambassadors, did not take these actors into account. Technology has pushed us to redefine the boundaries of diplomacy, and Science Diplomacy is sensitive to these changes. Ayumi continues by reiterating a concept now familiar to those involved in the history of science: “Technology is not neutral, but socially constructed; power is no longer concentrated but distributed; what is at stake is existence itself.” Born to Brazilian and Japanese parents, Ayumi grew up in South Africa during the apartheid era. She is therefore susceptible to issues related to racism: ‘By 2050, a quarter of the world’s population will be African. The role of technological diplomacy is therefore to prevent the exacerbation of global inequalities. (...) We are at a crossroads: technology can build bridges or walls!’
Finally, the third opening speech was given by the Tech Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Philip ThigoMany African states are seeking to gain a prominent place on the international stage. Europe is trying to engage as much as possible and establish alliances. Philip Thigo also emphasises the importance of institutionalising the link between states and large technology companies, whose growing influence exceeds that of some states. Ambassador Thigo reiterates the peaceful role that technology must play. He reminds us that on 21 March 2024, the United Nations (UN) approved the first innovative resolution on artificial intelligence, urging Member States to ensure the responsible development of safe and reliable artificial intelligence systems in accordance with human rights and international law. ‘Responsible technology that respects ethics: if we do not refer to concrete and verified facts, to established truths, there can never be trust!’
Trust is a topic also touched upon by Ayumi. Let us add an observation. Trust is essential for establishing functional and lasting international relations. Taking this perspective into account requires new rules and diplomatic practices that incorporate the pervasive role of technology.
The introductory speeches are followed by a round table discussion moderated by Maria Tadeo, Grand Continent EU Correspondent. The topic discussed was the state of Tech Diplomacy and its prospects at the local level. Access to digital services and infrastructure varies significantly worldwide, from region to region. The possibility of working on international cooperation is strongly affected by these differences. Another challenge, therefore, is to expand and ensure equitable access everywhere on the planet, even in the most remote areas. This challenge is a goal that can be pursued through scientific diplomacy, but it needs to be practised. According to some round table participants, it is only by practising it that we can learn to make it effective. In the global context, Europe can represent a third way, an alternative to the United States and China. However, it is essential to answer some critical questions: is it necessary, helpful, or harmful to deregulate part of the market at the European level to leave more space for these companies? We are reminded of Mario Draghi’s past statement that we have missed the boat on the digital revolution in Europe. The way forward is not easy to answer, and a single forum on technology cannot address all the questions raised by its role in international politics.
Dex Hunter-Torrickeentrepreneur and thinker, former advisor to leaders such as Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Eric Schmidt, and to large private companies in Silicon Valley, closed this first part of the forum with his Ignite Talk entitled “How to Build a World”. According to Dex, we are at a turning point in human history, and technology is the key factor that will determine the direction we take, governing whether global crises accelerate positively or negatively. Dex reminds us that we are witnessing the first war in which the use of drones is fundamental. Once again, it is emphasised that technology is not neutral and depends on who uses it and how it is used. We are therefore at a point of no return where new forms of global cooperation must emerge. Dex insists once again on the issue of trust: the word “trust” recurs frequently in this forum and, just as there is a clock that tells us year after year how close we are to the destruction of the world by nuclear weapons, Dex suggests the creation of a “Trust Barometer”, where we have deliberately capitalised the word to indicate trust between states and all actors involved in these processes.
Dex concludes his speech with four themes to stimulate reflection on these issues.
Accept the Future. Accept the world you live in, and try to make it a better place.
No Country can win the Future alone! Building a better future requires global cooperation. It is therefore a question of building bridges, not walls.
A connected World demands connected solutions. Cooperation is essential to designing global solutions. The short-sightedness of those who think locally and in the short term cannot help build a fair future. Developing this viewpoint encompasses all the themes raised so far, such as fair access to connections and the development of ethically committed technology able to build bridges and produce globally acceptable solutions.
We have a choice of Futures. Many scenarios are possible. Which one should we pursue? Which one is best? What horizons should we look to?
The Tech Diplomacy Forum continued. We know that it is not possible to answer all the questions raised in a single meeting, but the discussion has begun.
