Mandate:    -   Summary Record of the 125th Session of the Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy, held on 6-8 November 2024 [DSTI/STP/M(2024)3].

Extract from document [DSTI/STP(2024)13/REV2]

MANDATE OF THE OF THE GLOBAL SCIENCE FORUM (GSF)

I. Objectives

1.The Global Science Forum (GSF) shall assist the Committee on Scientific and Technological Policy (CSTP) in supporting countries to improve their science policies and reap the benefits of international collaboration, with a particular focus on the health of the Science Base that underpins systems of Science, Technology and Innovation, including public sector research actors and infrastructure, as well as the human and financial resources associated with them.

II. Working Methods

2.To achieve these objectives, the GSF shall:

a.Act as a forum for exchange of information and experiences among senior science policy officials of GSF members.

b.Contribute to the development and implementation of relevant OECD standards and policies to support scientific activity and its contribution to society, including by producing reports and providing guidance and science-policy recommendations for action at senior administrative or operational levels, especially on issues such as research environments and infrastructures; research quality and openness; research assessment, measurement and incentives; research training and careers.

c.Facilitate the exchange of information in new emerging areas of science or around new methods of research or facilities that require international co-operation and policy development, including by identifying needs for global scientific cooperation and mechanisms to address those needs, including measures to ensure the security and integrity of scientific development.

d.Foster effective international collaboration on policies to address global societal challenges that often require inter-disciplinary approaches (bringing together natural and social sciences) and trans-disciplinary approaches (co-design and co-production of knowledge).

e.Facilitate the exchange of information to identify best practices, concerns and future needs in relation to Science and Society and Science for Policy, including:

· the responsible and effective communication of science and the engagement of various stakeholders in the design of scientific agendas, programmes and projects;

· understanding policy needs and ensuring that the best available scientific evidence/information is readily available to policy makers, while maintaining the highest degree of science integrity, across a broad range of issues and in a variety of situations.

III. Participation

3.The GSF is open to:

· all OECD Members, which may participate in the GSF by addressing a notification to the Secretary-General to that effect;

· interested non-Members which have been granted Associate status in the GSF.

4.Together, OECD Members and non-Member Associates in the GSF should be referred to as “GSF members”.

5.All other participation of non-Members in the GSF will be decided in line with the Resolution of the Council on Partnerships in OECD Bodies [C(2012)100/REV2/FINAL] and be consistent the Global Relations Strategic Directions (GRSD) of the CSTP.

IV. Budget of the GSF [to be approved by the OECD Council]

6.The expenditure of the GSF shall be charged against the appropriations authorised for it under Part II of the Budget of the OECD.

7.Appropriations for which no commitment has been entered into before the end of the financial year for which they were appropriated, as well as any surplus income, shall be automatically carried forward to the budget of the GSF for the ensuing year by decision of the Secretary-General, notwithstanding the provisions of Regulation 10 of the Financial Regulations of the Organisation.

8.The annual contribution of a new GSF member shall be added to the budget of the GSF. If a new GSF member joins during a financial period, its contribution, calculated on a pro rata temporis basis, shall become a supplementary budget.

9.Should a GSF member withdraw from the GSF, the total amount of the budget of the GSF to be financed by the assessed contributions shall be reduced by the full amount of this withdrawing GSF member’s assessed contributions. In order to ensure sufficient sustainability and allow for appropriate planning measures, withdrawals from the GSF shall only take effect on 31 December of the year following that in which the written notice of withdrawal was received by the Secretary-General.

10.A GSF member would fall into arrears on 1 January of the year following the year of the call for payment of the assessed contribution if the contribution remains unpaid at that date. If a GSF member’s contribution remained unpaid, a proposal would be considered to suspend its participation, unless it paid the outstanding contribution. Settlement of the outstanding debt by the concerned GSF member in arrears will reverse the suspension. If, in the third year following the year of call for payment, a GSF member’s contribution remained unpaid, a proposal would be considered to exclude it from the GSF unless it paid the outstanding contribution. The decision of exclusion shall be adopted by the Council. This decision shall be notified to the GSF member.

V. Co-ordination arrangements

11.In order to efficiently implement its objectives, the GSF shall:

a.Engage with CSTP in the development and implementation of its Programme of Work and Budget;

b.Engage with the other subsidiary bodies of the CSTP, supporting joint activities as appropriate;

c.Maintain close working relationships with other relevant OECD bodies by keeping them informed of the progress of work related to their interests.

d.Cooperate with other relevant international partners, including international organisations and non-governmental stakeholders, in the development and promotion of its activities.

12.The mandate of the GSF shall come into force on 1 January 2025 and remain in force until 31 December 2029 unless the CSTP decides otherwise.