Dear Colleague

Greetings from CSIR-NIScPR, India!

We are pleased to share the latest issue of Science Diplomacy (Vol. 9(4), Apr-Jun 2026). This issue features insightful articles by distinguished experts and practitioners from across the globe, covering diverse themes including the evolving science–diplomacy interface, geopolitics and scientific talent, India–Africa cooperation, ocean governance, India's RDI Fund, biosecurity, and India's climate action journey.

[The Science-Diplomacy Interface – Has It Changed?] — Peter Gluckman & Annalise Higgins, Koi Tū Centre for Informed Futures, Auckland, New Zealand

[When Science Meets Geopolitics: US Policy Shifts, Talent Reconfiguration, and the Rise of South–South Collaboration] — Derya Buyuktanir Karacan, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

[Science, Technology and Innovation for Inclusive Transformation: Advancing India–Africa Cooperation] — Brando Okolo, African Union Development Agency – NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), South Africa

[The Abyssal Frontier: Vertical Sovereignty and the Ethics of Ocean Governance] — Paola González-Vargas, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica (UNA), Costa Rica

[India's RDI Fund and the New Imperative of Science Diplomacy] — Jyoti Sharma, Department of Science & Technology, India

[Addressing Biosecurity Risks in Private Laboratories and Biological Supply Chains] — Shravishtha Ajaykumar, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi, India

[Science, Policy and Purpose: My Journey Through India’s Climate Action] — Akhilesh Gupta

We invite you to explore the latest issue and share it with your colleagues and networks. To access the issue, click here.

We hope you find this issue informative and engaging. As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions for future issues.

Regards

Monika

Dr Monika Jaggi

Principal Scientist & Editor, Science Diplomacy

CSIR–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR)

Dr K S Krishnan Marg

New Delhi – 110012, India

CSIR-NIScPR | LinkedIn | X

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June 2026 — Vol. 6, No. 6
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IFLA Highlights

IFLA’s President Leslie Weir had a busy month, speaking remotely at the 1st African Forum of National Libraries, and in person at the International Archives Conference in Taiwan (China). She is then joining the American Library Association’s Annual Conference in Chicago, and looks forward to meeting IFLA members and volunteers there.

Secretary General Sharon Memis is joining Leslie at ALA Annual, and also moderated a session at the National Designing Libraries Conference in the UK. She will be at the LIBER Conference next month also.

IFLA has also been active at the Action for Climate Empowerment dialogues (see below for more!), the United Cities and Local Governments Congress, and the European Cultural Foundation Conference.

Coming up in July is the annual General Assembly for IFLA's Members, planned for 8 July 2026 at The Hague and to be streamed online via YouTube. It's at this meeting that IFLA's Governing Board reports on the activities of IFLA for the global library field and outlines current plans for the Federation.

Finally, the June issue of the IFLA Journal is now available! Read and download your copy on the IFLA Repository.

As we continue to approach August, a lot is happening for WLIC 2026 in Busan! We start with a strong showing of accepted posters for this Congress, with over 200 accepted entries to look forward to viewing and discussing!

Details on speakers and topics are continuously being added to the programme so spend some time building out your preferred sessions and personal schedule. There is also still time to register for one of the many satellite meetings and explore a topic in detail.

First-timers to WLIC should look out for an email invitation to the newcomers’ webinar where we'll take you through what to expect of WLIC and Busan.

As for touring our host country, a selection of pre and post Congress tours is in place that we recommend booking now as you plan your trip.

As you plan for your arrival, we have some Busan summer travel tips to discover! Explore how libraries play the role of urban sanctuaries. To help set you in the WLIC 2026 mode, we invite you to learn about and listen to Arirang, a lyrical folk song famous within Korea and now the title of the comeback album from K-pop sensation BTS!

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IFLA’s Environment, Sustainability and Libraries Section (ENSULIB) is pleased to announce the 11th IFLA Green Library Award 2026 shortlist. These top seven green libraries and green library projects are the 2026 Award finalists.
The shortlist for the IFLA/James Bennett Public Library of the Year Award 2026 is out. Another year of stunning new libraries, with the winner to be announced at WLIC in Busan.
Join UN-recognized campaign Heritage Adapts! to accelerate climate adaptation for heritage. IFLA is proud to join partners in announcing the launch of Heritage Adapts! This is the first global campaign uniting the heritage sector in taking locally-led climate adaptation action by 2030. Find out what this means for libraries around the world and take part in the movement!
Strengthening Library Voices in Global Climate Policy. IFLA took part in the annual Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) Dialogues this month, inputting on the next Action Plan for climate empowerment. Positive developments here, alongside library leadership in coordination of cultural actors ahead of COP31, show good potential for more opportunities to highlight libraries as climate actors.
Finally, don't forget to read our latest IFLA blog posts on Substack! This includes our latest Advoc8 entry and an article where we explore how libraries fit into caring cities.

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Call for papers: IFLA Journal Special Issue on Universal Access to Healthcare Information as a Human Right. Submission deadline: 27 November 2026.
What does the future hold for libraries? Tell us in the Li-Sci-Fi: IFLA100 Library Science Fiction Short Story Competition! Deadline: 1 September 2026.

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Don’t miss what’s coming up at IFLA! Explore exciting upcoming events and register now, online or onsite, through our Events Calendar.

Looking ahead, on 30 September 2027, IFLA celebrates its 100th anniversary! 🎂

Do you have ideas, initiatives, or partnership proposals to help shape this historic moment? Contact us at ifla100@ifla.org.

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Member Spotlight

Are you an IFLA organisation member?

We want to spotlight you! Share what’s new: successes, initiatives, and highlights in a few sentences using this form, and we’ll feature your organisation front and center!