Science diplomacy: Latin America's opportunity to overcome underinvestment in research and development

Latin America and the Caribbean is the most biodiverse region in the world, thanks to the Amazon forest and its abundant natural wealth, which gives it a core topic in the bioeconomy, clean energy, global food security and other areas. However, according to the United Nations lecture on Trade and development (UNCTAD) report , the region is among the least technologically prepared areas in the world. This represents a risk of losing core topic opportunities for the region to play a leading role in a world facing new global challenges.

Science diplomacy has gained relevance as global dynamics evolve, becoming tool core topic for international relations and the exchange opportunities. Throughout history it has played a crucial role in agreements such as the nuclear disarmament treaties between the US and the USSR, as well as in scientific cooperation in Antarctica, the oceans and outer space. Its importance has grown dramatically with the acceleration of globalization and, in particular, following the havoc wreaked by the COVID-19 pandemic. This event marked a turning point, consolidating science diplomacy as a central axis in the global governance of science, technology and innovation. However, Latin America has lagged behind, missing this opportunity to play a core topic role in the international sphere. The lack of a coordinated strategy, the leave investment in science and technology and the absence of specialized training programs have hindered its development, limiting the region's ability to face global challenges and strengthen its presence on the international stage.

agreement to the Open Forum for Science in Latin America and the Caribbean (CILAC), science does not yet occupy a prominent or efficient role in the region's foreign policy. Although there are numerous initiatives and a long tradition of scientific cooperation, both at the bilateral and regional levels, Latin America has not yet been able to take full advantage of the opportunities and benefits that science diplomacy offers to strengthen international relations, coordinate common actions in the face of transnational challenges and achieve development objectives.

The reasons behind this situation are diverse. In large part, it is due to the fact that science diplomacy in the region has developed in a fragmented manner. There are multiple international organizations, such as the OAS, CELAC, UNASUR, OEI, Mercosur and SICA, each with its own agendas and Structures, which generates dispersion of efforts and lack of coordination. The absence of a unified strategy hinders the formulation of common science and technology policies. In addition, the lack of collaboration between governments, universities and the private sector - fundamental actors for the development of science diplomacy - further limits its impact and scope in the region.

Similarly, the leave investment in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) represents an obstacle to the development of science diplomacy in Latin America. The region is the one that invests the least in researchresearch and development at the global level, allocating only about 0.60% of its GDP to this area, with most of the resources concentrated in Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. This limited investment restricts the capacity of countries to adopt or adapt advanced technologies, since not enough resources are allocated for their implementation. In addition, this situation forces nations with less purchasing power to depend on external financing to develop scientific projects in core topic sectors such as digitalization, biotechnology and artificial intelligence.

The countries that invest the most in research and development are those that have made the greatest progress in science diplomacy. As a pioneer, Brazil has established itself as a leader in science diplomacy in Latin America through its Innovation Diplomacy program, which seeks to strengthen the internationalization of science and address national and global challenges. Its strategy includes bilateral and multilateral cooperation in STI, the mobilization of its scientific diaspora and active participation in international forums. Among its initiatives are the creation of the first high-containment biosafety laboratory in the region, support for the Amazon Scientific Technical Panel and the transfer of space technologies for forest monitoring. Brazil has also structured its scientific diplomacy around technological cooperation and digital governance, facilitating exchanges with scientists abroad and strategic partnerships with allied countries, such as India. Along with Chile, it is one of the few countries in the region with scientific attachés in its embassies.

Despite these efforts, Latin America faces a great challenge in the effective application of science diplomacy due to the asymmetry in the participation of the global South in discussions on the subject, which has been dominated by the global North. Similarly, the discussion on science diplomacy has been led by English-speaking countries, developing content based on their own contexts. Resources in Spanish are scarce, and their limited adaptation to the region's partner environments makes it difficult for them to be exercised. Therefore, it is essential that Latin American countries work in a multilateral and coordinated manner to develop their own narrative on science diplomacy, which is geographically located and contextualized to their local needs and realities. Cases such as those mentioned in Brazil demonstrate that a well-structured strategy, based on investment in STI and the integration of science diplomacy into foreign policy, can contribute significantly to the achievement of national and global objectives.

In order to achieve effective coordination, the region must adopt new collective measures and review those that do not meet the needs, both at the national and regional levels. CILAC proposes several recommendations for the proper implementation of science diplomacy, focusing on three sectors: academic, public and private. In order to implement science diplomacy in a comprehensive manner, it is essential that it be promoted from the professional development instructions and in the areas of scientific work itself. It is essential to incorporate science diplomacy in universities as an area of study and research, which includes complementing scientific training with skills in communication, leadership and global affairs. Likewise, mobility and the exchange knowledge in science diplomacy should be encouraged through the creation of scholarships, internship programs and the strengthening of networks of scientists abroad. On the other hand, national strategies should align science policies with foreign policies. This implies the inclusion of scientific advisors in foreign ministries, training in science and technology for the diplomatic corps, and the integration of subnational actors, such as chambers and organizations dedicated to scientific development .

In this way, it will be possible to take advantage of participation in international forums to coordinate science diplomacy efforts and, in a cross-cutting manner, strengthen the role of the private sector and the technology industry in scientific cooperation. These recommendations will only have meaning and impact at the global level if the region has a coordinated and institutionally unified narrative.

Latin America's economy, politics and society have the potential to be strategically harnessed, and science diplomacy is acore topic tool to achieve this. Through greater regional integration, investment in STI and sectoral support, the region can build a regional narrative, tailored to its needs and objectives, that strengthens its presence on the international stage and allows it to face global challenges such as climate change, food security and digital transformation. The future of science diplomacy in Latin America will depend on political will, commitment to investment in knowledge and the ability to collaborate to position the region as a core topic in the global governance of science and technology.