At the S20 Closing Meeting, the 2027 Presidency Was Transferred to the Royal Society
Türkiye was represented by TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker during the Science20 (S20) 2026, which brings science academies from G20 countries together, at the online Closing Meeting and Handover Ceremony. During the meeting, participants reviewed the final version of the S20 Declaration, the outcome of the work carried out throughout 2026, and the chairmanship was handed over to the Royal Society for the coming year.
Delegates from South Africa, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, and Türkiye, as well as representatives from the Academia Europaea and the African Union, shared their views on the importance of the joint scientific messages put forward during the S20 process. The delegates highlighted the potential of the joint statement to guide policy discussions and emphasized the need for it to go beyond mere signing to contribute to concrete actions, collaborations, and implementations. The meeting also emphasized the role of the S20 process in strengthening scientific collaboration and increasing the contribution of scientific knowledge to decision-making mechanisms.
“The S20 Declaration Will Guide International Scientific Dialogue”
President Şeker thanked Neil Shubin, President of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and his team for leading the 2026 S20 process, noting that the declaration provides an important framework for strengthening global resilience in the face of natural disasters and hazards through science, technology, and international collaboration.
Noting that Türkiye is exposed to various natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and droughts, Prof. Şeker highlighted the importance of scientific preparedness, reliable risk assessment, effective early warning systems, and the integration of scientific knowledge into public decision-making processes. President Şeker noted that TÜBA aims to use the S20 Declaration as a reference in initiatives to be carried out with relevant ministries, public institutions, universities, and national stakeholders; he added that developing scientific and technological capacity, promoting data sharing, interdisciplinary research, and solutions tailored to local needs are among the Academy’s priorities. He also mentioned two important events that will contribute to the implementation of the declaration at the international level. He noted that TÜBA will organize panels and presentations as part of COP31, which begins on November 9 in Antalya. He stated that the S20 Declaration will serve as a key reference at these events to highlight the contributions of science, technology, and international cooperation to climate resilience and disaster preparedness.
The World Science Forum, to be held in Istanbul from March 17–20, 2027, hosted by Türkiye, also presents an important opportunity for advancing the S20 outcomes. President Şeker emphasized that the forum, which will be held under the theme “Science in Times of Global Crisis: Transcending Boundaries in a Fragmented World,” aligns particularly well with the S20 Declaration’s recommendations regarding the thematic areas of Global Resilience and Sustainability. At the conclusion of his remarks, Şeker extended his best wishes to the Royal Society, which will assume the S20 presidency, and invited all S20 stakeholders to Antalya for COP31 and to Istanbul for WSF 2027.