Prof. Quarraisha Abdool Karim, President of The World Academy of Sciences (UNESCO-TWAS), South Africa

Let me start by thanking the organisers of this meeting for the honour and privilege to be part of this bi-annual plenary focused on Science for sustainability and wellbeing in the Anthropocene: Opportunities, challenges and AI, and specifically to share some thoughts from the science-policy perspective on behalf of The World Academy of Sciences.

This gathering is a powerful reminder of the transformative role of science in shaping a more inclusive and just world. In this tumultuous time, the ubiquity of science gives us hope, in transcending political and cultural barriers as the universal language to build bridges between the peoples of this world. The intersection of the Anthropocene and AI represents both challenges and opportunities. The presentations and knowledge garnered to date on the Anthropocene and AI has been breathtaking in breadth and depth and epitomises how much human beings have evolved during this era/epoch.

We are living in a tumultuous and dynamic time of converging and multiple threats of climate change; pandemics; natural disasters, wars and conflicts and widening inequalities within and between countries. Our ability to mitigate and adapt to ensure sustainable planetary health and human security has to premised on our interconnectedness and shared vulnerability and that given the range of challenges in diverse contexts, it will not be a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Our success in harnessing the power of science for our survival will depend on closing the gaps on existing inequalities in knowledge generation including who has access to knowledge and who benefits from new knowledge generated.

Solutions to the challenges for sustainable development will require partnerships and collaborations across scientific disciplines, across all sectors and has to include all stakeholders – an all of society approach! To be effective these partnerships have to be built on mutual respect and trust and a shared vision and unity of purpose. Partnerships have to be synergistic – in several instances particularly in North-South collaborations or across subject disciplines, while one partner may initially contribute more than the other, by coming together each partner has something to contribute that by coming together the partnership enables more to be achieved than what each could accomplish on their own. These are important foundations to take the process to the next level viz achieving the transformational and transcendental science needed to tackle the complex challenges facing us and achieve successful interventions to mitigate and/or adapt to these challenges.

What is the role of AI in this tumultuous time? Will AI be the great equalizer or will be accelerate the widening of inequalities? For AI to be an positive and impactful tool a pre-requisite is access to stable supplies of electricity, data, devices, water and a skilled workforce. Yet, the majority of low and middle income countries (LMICS) don’t have access to these essential AI enablers. Further, these gaps are widening with advanced AI tools due to the lack of access to the required computational power, data access, and skilled professionals. Currently, wealthier nations dominate in AI research, often applying these technologies to issues that may not be immediately relevant to LMICs, where the focus is on meeting basic needs such as primary and high school education, healthcare, and food security. Without proper inclusion policies, AI will continue its current trajectory of development reflecting the priorities of high-income countries. There is a real risk of putting a higher value on some lives than others as solutions are likely to be misaligned with the needs of vulnerable populations in LMICs. If AI tools are not designed to address localized issues – such as sustainable agriculture, health systems, or education. While AI holds promise for bridging inequalities, the current trend shows that it is often widening the gap. Countries with well-established scientific infrastructure and advanced AI capabilities are benefiting disproportionately from AI’s potential, while LMICs face obstacles in accessing these technologies.

Addressing the complexities of the Anthropocene through the lens of AI requires thoughtful, interdisciplinary approaches that integrate scientific understanding with effective policy frameworks. The interplay between human impact and technological advancement presents both challenges and opportunities for creating a sustainable future. As such, dialogue among diverse stakeholders is essential to navigate this evolving landscape, ensuring that technological innovation contributes positively to both the environment and society at large.

How do we work together at this conjuncture? Science academies already play a pivotal role in fostering research, informing policy, promoting ethical considerations, and engaging with the public. By leveraging their resources and expertise, these institutions could lead the way toward a sustainable future, ensuring that both science and technology work hand in hand to address the pressing issues of our time for everyone everywhere...

The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) is one such science academy playing its role for building sustainable futures for all with a priority on LMICs and Science and Technology Lagging Countries (STLCs). Established 40 years ago by Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam with the vision of use of science, technology for addressing the challenges facing developing countries. Today TWAS has over 1400 Fellows across 10 subject categories through a peer-election process it recognises the best scientists in the Global South and who are actively engaged in generating knowledge for sustainable development. Recognising the need for a critical mass of scientists across disciplines and within similar regions, TWAS has additionally trained several thousand Masters and doctoral students further expanding the number of highly training scientists addressing critical challenges facing their countries. The training and capacity building efforts have fostered S-S, S-N and N-S partnerships between institutions and scientists and this bilateral training opportunities are shaping a new form of diplomacy through science. The science=policy interface is intentionally addressed through formal workshops on science diplomacy in partnership with the American Academy for the Advancement of Science. In its current iteration it is unique in bringing together scientists with policy makers. This is contributing to strengthening government investments in evidence based policies; investments in science and science infrastructure and support countries to utilize science and science advisors for decision-making. While much has been accomplished, much remains to be done particularly in AI that remains at a nascent stage even though it has changed everyday life and living significantly.

Notwithstanding this progress, efforts are being undermined with the escalation of displaced populations resulting from wars and conflicts that are disproportionately negatively impacting already vulnerable populations and communities in LMICs. It is estimated that there are over 140 million displaced people including highly trained scientists. The destruction of educational and research infrastructure; lives lost and its inter-generational impacts are immeasurable.

Globally, forced displacement and conflict are at historic highs, driven by ongoing wars and crises. By mid-2024, the number of forcibly displaced people surpassed 130 million, marking the 12th consecutive year of rising displacement. Key contributors to this surge include conflicts in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and the State of Palestine. Syria remains the largest source of displaced persons, with 13.8 million forced to flee both internally and internationally

Conflicts are widespread across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe and Latin America. The Ukraine war, Sudan's civil conflict, and Israel-Palestine violence were among the deadliest in 2023. Africa experienced the most wars, while non-state conflicts, often involving gangs and cartels, are highly prevalent in Latin America.

Displacement due to war not only affects the immediate regions but often spills over to neighboring countries, with 75% of refugees hosted in low- and middle-income nations and eroding an a unique global asset, viz youth.

Displaced scientists and researchers frequently migrate to safer regions, stripping their home countries of valuable intellectual capital. In places like Syria, Sudan, and Venezuela, this erosion of the academic workforce is profound, affecting local research capabilities and further deepening economic and social disparities

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees often lack access to quality education. This disruption affects the next generation of scientists, engineers, and technologists who could otherwise contribute to their countries’ development. Many children in conflict zones, such as in parts of Africa and the Middle East, miss years of education, limiting the talent pool from which future scientists can emerge.

In conflict-ridden regions, infrastructure vital to scientific research – universities, laboratories, and libraries – is often damaged or rendered inaccessible. This lack of resources prevents scientific progress and innovation. The divide between countries with strong, resilient research systems and those affected by conflict grows wider.

The importance of peace cannot be over stated. Pope Francis captured this eloquently and concisely in the foreword to this: ‘..peace is a prerequisite for sustainable development.’ Without stability, countries cannot build the foundations necessary for growth, innovation, or the proper use of scientific and technological advancements. Peaceful conditions foster collaboration, the strengthening of institutions, and the development of societies. This vision aligns with global frameworks like the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which places peace and justice as core goals for long-term prosperity in LMICs and indeed the world.

As we move forward, I leave you with three lessons to reflect on:

Forty years ago the world faced a major crisis resulting from HIV that again disproportionately impacted LMICs with Africa being home to 70% of people living with HIV. Life expectancy dropped by about 20 years in sub-Saharan Africain and hundreds of thousands of children were orphaned due to limited access to anti-retroviral therapy. But in the early 2000s there was a major shift in the global response – UN member states came together with activists and advocates, and pharmaceutical companies to commit to ensuring that everyone ever where could have access to these life-saving medication. This unprecedented act of global solidarity will go down in history as an important turning point and serves as an important lesson in challenges facing humanity. Today, about 30 million people are on triple anti-retroviral therapy and AIDS has shifted from an inevitably fatal condition to one that is chronic and manageable.

In 2020 the world faced another challenge, Covid-19. Many of us can vividly recall the h fear, uncertainty and anxiety that engulfed us. We were reminded again of our interconnectedness and shared vulnerability. Science through the development of diagnostics; therapeutics and vaccines brought us hope but our failure to act with solidarity saw inequities in access to life saving medicines and vaccines and wealth defined who would benefit or not.

In the words of an iconic leader Nelson Mandela: ‘Addressing inequalities is not an act of charity or generosity, it is a basic human right!’

In conclusion, science for humanity has to be for all of humanity and a sustainable future for all cannot afford a situation where some lives are viewed as more valuable than others. Our interconnectedness and shared vulnerabilities underscore the importance of working together as scientists to generate knowledge and innovations to make the world a better place for everyone.