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TÜBA and EMAN Collaboration Science Diplomacy Brings Together and Reconciles Differences in International Politics

The international conference titled “UN/Governance in the Mediterranean Region and the Global System,” organized in collaboration with the TÜBA International Relations Working Group and the Euro-Mediterranean Academic Network (EMAN), was held at Istanbul Nişantaşı University. The EMAN Executive Committee Meeting was also held within the scope of the conference.

Held to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN), the two-day conference presented solutions to current issues related to governance and lack of governance in the global system and the Mediterranean region. The event, which aimed to provide a broad perspective for academics, policymakers, and the public, addressed themes such as governance in health, human security, energy supply security, human rights, sustainability, and cultural interaction from different angles.

The opening speeches of the conference were delivered by TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker, TÜBA Full Member, EMAN and Asian Academies and Societies of Sciences (AASSA) President Prof. Dr. Ahmet Nuri Yurdusev, and TÜBA Full Member and Nişantaşı University Rector Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Komsuoğlu.

To understand the global system, governance dynamics must be examined
In his opening speech at the conference, TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker emphasized the importance of the meeting being held in the 80th year of the United Nations' founding, stating, "The United Nations was established to promote peace, cooperation, and human dignity in the wake of global turmoil. For decades, it has provided a unique framework for international dialogue and coordination. However, today this framework faces new and complex challenges: rapid technological change, environmental crises, geopolitical tensions, and economic inequalities are reshaping global governance."

Noting that the Mediterranean region is one of the areas most affected by these challenges, Şeker said, "The Mediterranean region is a bridge between East and West, a region where cultures and civilizations intersect, and where migration, climate risks, and political diversity are experienced. Understanding the dynamics of governance and lack of governance in this region offers valuable insights into broader transformations in the global system."

Reminding that governance is not static but a constantly evolving process, Şeker emphasized the importance of national academies, saying, “Global problems such as pandemics, cyber threats, and climate change cannot be solved by the efforts of states alone; they require regional and international cooperation guided by scientific knowledge and shared ethical values.”

EMAN President Prof. Dr. Yurdusev stated that governance issues at the regional and global levels cannot be separated from one another, and that governance established at the regional and global scales are interconnected. He noted that discussing the issue starting from the Mediterranean basin is appropriate in demonstrating this interconnection.

Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Komsuoğlu, Rector of Istanbul Nişantaşı University, expressed her satisfaction at hosting the conference, saying, “Within the framework of science's transnational nature, we will continue to contribute to regional and global cooperation.”

During the general session of the conference, which was completed in four sessions, academics, together with representatives of relevant institutions and organizations, discussed the relationship between governance and the topics of science diplomacy, human rights, culture, security, sustainability, and coexistence. TÜBA Full Members Prof. Dr. Ali Balcı, Prof. Dr. Şener Aktürk, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Akif Kireçci, Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Üstün, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mürsel Doğrul served as moderators during the sessions.

EMAN Board of Directors Meeting Held
While the conference program continued, the EMAN Board of Directors also held its meeting for the 2024–2027 term. The meeting, which lasted approximately two hours, was organized in collaboration with EMAN and TÜBA.

At the opening of the meeting, EMAN President Prof. Dr. Ahmet Nuri Yurdusev and TÜBA President Şeker emphasized the importance of science diplomacy, solidarity, and academic cooperation in the Mediterranean region.

EMAN's 2024 activity report was evaluated during the meeting. EMAN's strategic priorities for 2025–2027 and opportunities for cooperation with the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) and other partner academies were discussed. Recommendations were shared on increasing EMAN's institutional communication and visibility. The session concluded with a closing speech by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Nuri Yurdusev after summarizing the decisions taken and determining plans for the next period.