It is in this context that the United Nations Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB)operates. Established as an independent body, the SAB brings scientific expertise and foresight into UN decision-making processes.
Its work focuses on issues that are critical to the global future, from emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology to climate change, global health and food security, with the aim of ensuring that multilateral policies are informed by the best available scientific evidence.
As UN Under-Secretary-General Guy Ryder has noted, the challenge today is not a lack of knowledge, but ensuring that facts and evidence genuinely guide decision-making in an environment of growing pressure and polarisation, at a time when trust in institutions is declining.
Alberto Anfossi, Secretary General of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo highlighted the value of this level of analysis and dialogue: “We recognise the fundamental importance of science communication and of public debate grounded in evidence. We are actively committed to this goal through targeted programmes for schools, young people, and the wider public. ”
Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo’s support for the Scientific Advisory Board represents a significant step in strengthening its international profile. Launched in December 2024, this collaboration reflects a clear strategic vision in which internationalisation is not a standalone area of activity, but a cross-cutting pillar of the Foundation’s 2025–2028 Multi-Year Planning Document.
It serves as an operational lever across all areas of the Foundation’s work at the local level.
Hosting a body of such significance in Turin, bringing together internationally renowned scientists and experts, is part of the Foundation’s broader internationalisation strategy, which it is pursuing through a range of complementary initiatives.
First, strengthening science diplomacy and science anticipation helps reinforce dialogue between the research community, institutions and policy-makers, fostering an approach that can anticipate systemic change and assess its implications for society, public policy and innovation.
Second, engagement with multilateral organisations, international philanthropic networks, think tanks and research centres focused on geopolitical, economic and scientific megatrends strengthens the Foundation’s ability to interpret global developments and shape its intervention strategies with greater awareness.
Finally, connecting the global and local dimensions enables the knowledge, relationships and tools developed in key international contexts to be brought to the local area, supporting the creation of partnerships and collaborative models that translate knowledge into informed decision-making, innovation and opportunities for community development.
“Philanthropic foundations can play a hybrid role,” said Marco Gilli, Chair of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo Marco, “combining traditional grant-making, similar to that of the public sector, with mission-driven investments that resemble those of the private sector, where the primary objective is impact and returns are expected over the long term. This blended approach complements both the public and private sectors, helping to direct innovation towards the common good through a new partnership model commonly known as the ‘4P’ model: Public – Private – Philanthropic Partnership.”
The event also included a public session that brought together more than 80 representatives from institutions, academia and the research community, reaffirming Turin’s role as a key hub for knowledge, international cooperation and development policy.
In this context, the collaboration with the United Nations enables Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo to contribute to a resilient vision of the future, offering tools to interpret transformations that affect local innovation capacity and drawing on scientific research to shape future strategies.
By hosting the Scientific Advisory Board, Turin reinforces its role as a key hub of global knowledge, a space where cutting-edge research, international cooperation and development policies are structurally intertwined. Through various working sessions held at the Academy of Sciences and the National Museum of the Risorgimento, the participants explored frontier topics such as the convergence of AI and biotechnology and their impact on health and innovation , while addressing the governance challenges essential to ensuring these technologies are safe and inclusive.
In pursuing this path, Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo reaffirms its commitment to building a knowledge infrastructure that connects science, people and institutions, with the aim of supporting better-informed decision-making and helping to shape a future that is more sustainable, resilient and shared.
For further details, please read the press release available below.[/vc_column_text][vc_masonry_media_grid css=”” grid_id=”vc_gid:1782730571938-09651641-9eb3-0″ include=”44888,44890,44892,44894,44896″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_class=”sdg-list-wrap”][vc_column][vc_raw_html css=””]JTVCbW9zdHJhU0RHUyU1RA==[/vc_raw_html][vc_raw_html css=””]JTVCU2V6aW9uZV9Eb2N1bWVudGklNUQ=[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]