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The Academy of Sciences of Moldova has the honour to announce that, in the context of the working visit to the Republic of Moldova of Prof. Sir Peter Gluckman, President of the International Science Council (ISC), and Dr. Salvatore Aricò, Chief Executive Officer of the ISC, on 16 April 2026, two public lectures of high academic standing will be held in the Blue Hall of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, starting at 14:00.
On this occasion, Prof. Sir Peter Gluckman will deliver the lecture entitled “Repositioning Science Within an Uncertain and Fractured World?”, while Dr. Salvatore Aricò will present the communication “The International Science Council: Science in Action in an Evolving and Uncertain Context”.
Acad. Marius Andruh, President of the Romanian Academy, elected to this high office on 7 April this year, will take part in the lecture session. The event is held within the framework of the cooperation among the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, the Romanian Academy, and the International Science Council, and reflects their joint efforts to promote the role of science in contemporary society, as well as to strengthen international scientific dialogue.
In the first part of the day on 16 April 2026, the distinguished guests will also take part in the round table entitled “Science Unites: Dialogue for the Future in a Changing World”, an event dedicated to reflection on the major challenges of the 21st century and on the contribution of the scientific community to the development of responsible and sustainable responses.
In recognition of their outstanding contributions to the promotion of global scientific cooperation and international science diplomacy, as well as for their consistent support for the academic community of the Republic of Moldova, Prof. Sir Peter Gluckman will be awarded the “Dimitrie Cantemir” Medal, the highest distinction of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, while Dr. Salvatore Aricò will receive the “Nicolae Milescu Spătarul” Medal.
Members of the scientific and university community, researchers, experts involved in the development of public policies in the fields of research and innovation, as well as all those interested in the role of science in the contemporary world, are cordially invited to attend this public lecture session.
The event will be livestreamed by the Information Society Development Institute and will be available at the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/ZvVnlEQ2Ry8.
The event is also open to representatives of the mass media.
Dr. Tudor Braniște
Professor Sir Peter GLUCKMAN
Professor Sir Peter Gluckman is one of the world’s most distinguished
scientific leaders, internationally acclaimed for his major contributions to perinatal biology and physiology, paediatric endocrinology, and human developmental science. Born on 8 February 1949 in Auckland, New Zealand, he has also gained global recognition for his pioneering role in advancing government science advice and science diplomacy.
From 2009 to 2018, Professor Sir Peter Gluckman served as Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister of New Zealand, and subsequently as Special Envoy for Science at New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He currently serves as President of the International Science Council, is Director of the Centre for Informed Futures, and is a member of the Global Commission on Science Missions for Sustainability. He is also a member of the US National Academy of Medicine and the UK Academy of Medical Sciences.
During his visit to Chișinău, Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, together with Dr. Salvatore Aricò, will deliver public lectures and hold meetings with members of the scientific community and decision-makers, focusing on the role of science in sustainable development, strengthening the science–policy interface, and enhancing societal resilience through knowledge and international cooperation.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the promotion of international scientific cooperation and for his consistent support of the academic community of the Republic of Moldova, Professor Sir Peter Gluckman will be awarded the “Dimitrie Cantemir” Medal during this working visit.
His visit to the Academy of Sciences of Moldova marks a significant moment for the scientific community of the Republic of Moldova and reaffirms the strategic role of science in strengthening international dialogue, advancing the values of knowledge, and helping build a sustainable future grounded in truth, responsibility, and cooperation.
Dr. Salvatore ARICÒ
Dr. Salvatore Aricò has been leading the International Science Council as CEO since January 2023, overseeing its strategic priorities to guide the organization’s global mission.
Dr. Aricò is a biologist, ecologist, oceanographer and marine policy expert by training. For nearly thirty years, he has worked at the science-policy interface – contributing to initiatives such as the Pilot Analysis of Global Ecosystems, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, the IPCC, the creation of IPBES, and the Global Environment and Biodiversity Outlooks. He has also played an active role in shaping key international agreements, including the UN Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the implementing agreement on Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.
He has served as Secretary to the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board, Head of Marine Biodiversity at the Convention on Biological Diversity, Head of Science at the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, and Senior Science Advisor at UNESCO.
His scholarly work has been affiliated with the United Nations University’s Institute for Advanced Studies, the University of Delaware, the University of Terengganu in Malaysia, and other institutions, where he has held or continues to hold academic positions and supervise students. His more than 100 publications range from academic studies to policy briefs.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL
The International Science Council (ISC) is a non-governmental and non-profit organization with a unique global membership, bringing together 250 scientific organizations from around the world, including international scientific unions and associations, national academies of sciences, research councils, as well as academies and associations of young scientists. At present, the ISC also includes 226 individual members (ISC Fellows) — scientific experts and promoters of knowledge who, through their research activity and engagement in advancing science in the public sphere, support the ISC’s mission to act as the global voice for science.
The ISC was established in 2018 through the merger of the International Council for Science, founded in 1931, and the International Social Science Council, founded in 1952. The organization is headquartered in Paris, has regional focal points in Asia and the Pacific and in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as an office at the United Nations in New York. The first ISC General Assembly was held in Paris in July 2018.
The new organization was created to serve as the global voice for science and to promote science as a global public good. The ISC operates worldwide to mobilize, convene, and leverage scientific expertise, to provide advice, and to exert influence on issues of major importance both for science and for society.
The founding strategy of the ISC emphasizes that scientific understanding has never been more important for society than it is today, at a time when humanity faces major challenges related to the sustainable and equitable development of life on planet Earth. In this context, and at a time when the voice of science is becoming increasingly difficult to hear, the ISC defends the fundamental values of science, supports decision-makers, and encourages open and responsible public engagement with scientific knowledge.
For further details, please access the following link: https://council.science/about-us/
