Emerging Tech and Biodiversity Management: Navigating the New Frontiers of Bio-diplomacy
The conservation of biodiversity and its sustainable use have been widely seen as pivotal to facilitating sustainable development and addressing climate change. Conserving and nurturing biodiversity wealth has become central to novel economic and policy paradigms emanating from the Global South including India’s Lifestyle for Sustainability and environment (LiFE) and socio-biodiversity bioeconomy from Brazil. Anupama Vijayakumar writes.
Norway becomes the 55th country to sign the Accords since 2020. The document outlines best practices based on principles in the Outer Space Treaty and other agreements on issues such as transparency, sharing of scientific data and utilization of space resources.
The WHO Pandemic Agreement aims to enhance global coordination and cooperation, equity and access for future pandemics. Consultations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system (PABS), would be undertaken to enhance equitable access to medical advancements.
The Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) has signed a MoU with US-based Axiom Space to enhance cooperation in space research, technology, and human spaceflight. The agreement will explore joint initiatives in scientific research, technology development, Earth observation, and microgravity experimentation. It also opens the door to future human spaceflight collaborations.
Speaking at a virtual press conference, Dana Weigel, manager, International Space Station Program, stated that the two agencies would “host a joint public downlink event to showcase the strength of the international collaboration and show their commitment to expanding access to space”. Five joint science and two outreach activities have also been planned.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC-15) adopted the Tehran Declaration which emphasizes collaboration in AI education, research, infrastructure, governance, and technology transfer to address common challenges such as healthcare, climate change, food security, and water scarcity.
Researchers at University of Bristol have discovered a "latch-effect" in Gallium Nitride (GaN) materials, which enhances the performance of radio frequency amplifiers, crucial for the development of 6G networks.This innovation could lead to transformative applications such as self-driving cars, remote healthcare diagnostics, and immersive virtual experiences.
By enabling detailed analysis of single-cell chromosomal structures, this AI tool enhances our understanding of gene expression and disease mechanisms, potentially leading to improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
The breakthrough confirmed that Uranium ditelluride (UTe₂) exhibits Majorana fermions on its surface, a key component for stable quantum computing. This advancement could pave the way for more reliable and scalable quantum processors.
Both sides exchanged views on the recent development of national science, technology and innovation policies and collaboration between funding agencies, universities, research institutions, and science academies. Discussions were held on current status and future prospects on bilateral cooperation in various fields, including AI, robotics, semiconductors, quantum technology, communication technology, fusion energy, hydrogen technology, marine and polar research, bioeconomy, and research security and integrity.
At the inaugural session of the Sagarmatha Sambaad in Kathmandu, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav presented a five-point plan to protect fragile mountain ecosystems. The plan emphasizes scientific cooperation, climate resilience, community empowerment, green finance, and the recognition of mountain perspectives in global climate negotiations.
The 7th EU–Jordan Joint Science & Technology Cooperation Committee (JSTCC) meeting took place in Amman on 22 May 2025. Key areas of discussion included renewable energy, clean hydrogen, and joint participation in Horizon Europe initiatives. The committee also emphasized the importance of science diplomacy and the integration of Jordan into the Mediterranean research landscape.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) inaugurated the Quantum Technology Research Centre (QTRC) at Metcalfe House, Delhi to further strengthen indigenous quantum capabilities for strategic and defence applications.
The agreement marks the beginning of work on a dedicated Traditional Medicine module under the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI).The combined impact of WHO’s International Classification of Diseases for diseases and the new ICHI module for interventions will ensure that Ayush becomes an integral, evidence-based, and policy-recognised part of global healthcare systems.
A super-fast charging sodium-ion battery (SIB) based on a NASICON-type cathode and anode material, that can charge up to 80 per cent in six minutes and last over 3000 charge cycles. The technology has been tested and validated through high-end methods, including electrochemical cycling and quantum simulations.
The material is lightweight, has organic chemicals, and is safer for both people and the environment. It emits a rare type of light called circularly polarised luminescence (CPL), which is useful in secure technologies like encrypted labels and advanced 3D displays, ideal for anti-counterfeiting applications, such as printing security tags or concealed messages on products, documents, or currency.
ICMR launched its first High Performance Computing (HPC) facility at the ICMR–National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune designed to boost the country’s ability to process large volumes of genomic and bioinformatics data to ensure pandemic preparedness and tackle future public health emergencies.
The problem: Current lithium-ion batteries face significant limitations in energy density, particularly for applications requiring lightweight and high-capacity power sources, such as electric aviation, marine, and rail transportation. These limitations hinder the widespread adoption of electric propulsion in these sectors.
Sodium-Air Fuel Cell: It utilizes a reaction between liquid sodium metal and air to generate electricity. The system employs a solid ceramic electrolyte to facilitate the movement of sodium ions and a porous air-facing electrode to enable the chemical reaction with oxygen. Unlike traditional batteries, this fuel cell operates on a refuelable mechanism, akin to a conventional engine, and offers more than three times the energy per unit weight compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Future Prospects: The high energy density of this sodium-air fuel cell makes it a promising candidate for electrifying sectors that require lightweight and high-capacity power sources. Beyond aviation, this technology could revolutionize marine and rail transportation by providing cost-effective and efficient power solutions. Further research and development are underway to optimize the performance and scalability of this fuel cell technology.
The Problem: Commercial solar panels typically convert only about 20 per cent of sunlight into electricity, with the remainder lost as heat. This heat not only reduces their efficiency but also shortens their lifespan, leading to increased maintenance and replacement costs. Traditional cooling methods, such as fans and pumps, consume additional electricity, further diminishing the overall energy gain.
Passive Cooling Composite Material: Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia have developed a novel passive cooling solution using a composite material made of lithium chloride and sodium polyacrylate. This hygroscopic composite absorbs moisture at night and releases it during the day, effectively cooling solar panels without the need for external power sources. When applied to solar cells, this material has been shown to lower operating temperatures by 9.4°C, increase power output by 12.9 per cent, and extend the lifespan of the panels by over 200 per cent .
Future Prospects: By improving the efficiency and durability of solar panels, this innovation can lead to more sustainable and cost-effective solar energy solutions. The adaptability of the composite material to various environmental conditions, including both arid and humid climates, suggests its potential for widespread global application, contributing to the advancement of renewable energy infrastructure worldwide.
The Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR) 2025, titled “Resilience Pays: Financing and Investing for our Future”, published by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. Key highlights are as follows:
Disaster risks are becoming increasingly systemic, interconnected, and cascading across sectors and borders. Disasters are reversing progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in poverty, food security, and climate action.
Current financing systems are underprepared to deal with compound, multi-hazard disasters intensified by climate change and urban growth. Global development and financial institutions lack sufficient incentives to prioritize risk prevention over response.
Resilience-building investments provide long-term economic and social returns, yet remain vastly underutilized.
Reactive spending dominates: For every $1 spent on risk reduction, $20 is spent on disaster response and recovery. Public and private sector investments often ignore long-term risk considerations, contributing to the creation of new vulnerabilities.
Data and risk information are fragmented and poorly integrated, limiting decision-making for effective disaster risk reduction (DRR). International collaboration and science-policy integration are critical for closing the prevention investment gap.
Local communities are underfunded and underrepresented, despite being on the front lines of disaster response and recovery.
In preparation for the July 2025 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the UN Secretariat has released the Secretary-General’s annual report on SDG progress. ‘Progress Towards the Sustainable Development Goals,’ the May 2025 report uses inputs from more than 50 international and regional organizations to assess progress made since 2015 against the global SDG indicator framework. The report shows:
The world is on track to meet or is making “moderate” progress on 35 per cent of the 137 SDG targets with available data. It also shows that progress on 47 per cent of the targets is insufficient, and 18 per cent of the targets have regressed from the 2015 baseline. The report “reaffirms the imperative to intensify efforts to reverse these trends” in the five years that remain until the 2030 deadline.
notable regional and national achievements showing that “change is possible.”, also acknowledging that over 700 million people still live in extreme poverty, and, due to compounded shocks and crises, the risk of falling (back) into poverty remains high.
“mixed” progress towards ending hunger, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture, largely due to ongoing conflicts, global food crisis, and climate-related challenges.
Progress on SDG 3 (good health and well-being) between 2015 and 2023 includes a drop in maternal mortality from 228 to 197 per 100,000 live births and a decrease in under-five mortality from 43 to 37 per 1,000 live births.
Climate action is “well below the level required to meet the commitments” under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change.
While both official and private financial flows to developing countries have increased, in 2023, debt servicing costs for low-income countries (LICs) and middle-income countries (MICs) reached a record USD 1.4 trillion, with interest payments jumping to an all-time high of 37.1 per cent. Alongside a USD 4 trillion annual SDG investment gap, these numbers mean reduced national budget allocations for social services, hampering overall SDG progress.
Need for urgent action around six "collectively agreed-upon" transitions to drive transformative change: food systems; energy access and affordability; digital connectivity; education; jobs and social protection; and climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
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