The Role of The World Science Forum in Science Diplomacy

This chapter discusses the World Science Forum (WSF) as a leading platform for science diplomacy, examining how it has evolved since the 1999 World Conference on Science in Budapest to become a global meeting point for science, policy and society. Initially established by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, with the backing of UNESCO and the International Science Council (ISC), the Forum has evolved into a distinctive arena where various stakeholders, including scientists, policymakers, institutions, and civil society, converge to address shared challenges. Over the past two decades, WSF declarations have reflected a dynamic agenda, shifting from initial concerns about ethics and responsibility to more recent priorities, including open science, equity, social justice, and resilience. This chapter examines how the Forum fosters international cooperation, builds trust across political and regional divides, and shapes global science norms through formal and informal diplomacy. It also highlights how regional hosts, such as Jordan, South Africa and Indonesia, have enriched the Forum's themes and outreach. With WSF 2026 in Jakarta approaching, the chapter considers how the Forum is moving from principle to practice, placing increasing emphasis on capacity building, inclusivity, and collective resilience. In doing so, the WSF continues to demonstrate how science can bring people together in the pursuit of shared global well-being.