ISC MLD 2025 · Multi-lateral Dialogues - Scientific Research Second Phase

The Multilateral Dialogue on Principles & Values in International Research & Innovation (MLD) Phase 2, led by the International Science Council (ISC) in partnership with the European Commission, OECD, and UNESCO, seeks to define the principles and values that should underpin ethical, fair, trusted, open and safe international cooperation in research and innovation (R&I). Building on Phase 1 (2021–24), Phase 2 will significantly broaden participation to deliver a genuinely global, inclusive dialogue that reconciles diverse perspectives from around the world and clarifies distinctions between research (cooperation) and innovation (competition).ISC will host the MLD Secretariat, establish governance structures and implement 3 structured research enquiries: stakeholder enlargement & engagement; mapping of existing principles, agreements & resources (with an associated database); a scoping study to define workshop themes. Six co-designed thematic workshops will generate pre- and post-workshop reports and feed into a Framework on Principles & Values for International Cooperation in R&I. The Framework will be accompanied by practical tools—policy recommendations, factsheets, guidance notes, model collaboration templates—and culminate in an international Ministerial Conference & Ministerial Declaration.Outputs will follow open-science practices and FAIR data principles, published under Creative Commons with DOIs and supported by a Data Management Plan. Indicators will track co-creation, participation, endorsements and uptake. Expected outcomes include strengthened global consensus on core values, clearer policy distinctions between cooperation and competition, enhanced institutional capacity and fairer bilateral and multilateral partnerships. Long-term impacts envision a recognised normative framework guiding equitable, resilient international R&I cooperation, advancing science as a global public good and enabling more effective, inclusive responses to global challenges