Scientific Diplomacy as a Mechanism for Mitigating the North–South Technological Divide

Abstract

This article explores the potential of scientific diplomacy to mitigate the persistent North-South technological divide, a significant source of global inequality and geopolitical tension. It highlights how new disruptive technologies threaten to further widen this gap, emphasizing the urgent need for new international cooperation instruments. The text discusses the evolution of science diplomacy from a traditional cooperative vision focused on shared knowledge and solutions, to a newer competitive paradigm driven by national interests and technological supremacy. It then details the European Union’s pioneering effort to formalize a balanced framework that integrates both approaches, aiming to foster equitable partnerships and build scientific capacity in the Global South.