As international diplomacy tackles issues in which science and technology play a central role, the United Nations (UN) risks being relegated to the sidelines. The influence and effectiveness of diplomats and international civil servants will increasingly depend on the extent to which they can mobilize scientific and technical expertise in their work. This need not require the UN to acquire extensive in-house scientific competence, but the organization – especially the office of the secretary general – must learn to tap advisory services to identify, mobilize, and use the best available expertise.
As international diplomacy tackles issues in which science and technology play a central role, the United Nations (UN) risks being relegated to the sidelines. The influence and effectiveness of diplomats and international civil servants will increasingly depend on the extent to which they can mobilize scientific and technical expertise in their work. This need not require the UN to acquire extensive in-house scientific competence, but the organization – especially the office of the secretary general – must learn to tap advisory services to identify, mobilize, and use the best available expertise.