Good morning, this is Kasmira and today we’re reporting on the growing wave of science sanctions against Russia after CERN, the European particle physics laboratory here based in Geneva, announced that it will be suspending Russia “until further notice”, over its invasion of Ukraine. Our friends at GESDA, below, further delve into how the war is impacting science and technology communities worldwide.

Plus, over at the Human Rights Council, Michelle Bachelet confirmed that she will be visiting China, and its Xinjiang region, in May – although what activists and other diplomats in Geneva urgently want to know is: where is her long-awaited report on alleged rights violations against the Uyghurs?

09.03.2022

On our radar

A view of CERN’s Globe on the organisation’s campus in Geneva. (Credit: 2017-2022 CERN/ Ordan, Julien Marius)

🥼CERN suspends Russia as science community joins boycott wave. The particle physics laboratory, one of the world's biggest centres for scientific research, said on Tuesday it has suspended Russia's observer member status “until further notice” as part of a growing academic boycott over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

🇨🇳UN human rights chief to visit Xinjiang in May. UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet announced on Tuesday that she has reached an agreement with China for a visit in May, including access to Xinjiang, but made no reference to a long-delayed report into alleged rights violations in the region.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

Here's what else is happening

📧UN denies report that staff banned from saying 'war' and 'invasion' to describe Ukraine conflict in leaked email.
Euronews (EN)
💥From ‘frozen’ conflict to full-scale invasion: How has eight years of war changed Ukraine’s Donbas?
Meduza (EN)
⛔What happens if the US cuts off Russia from the World Trade Organization?
Newsweek (EN)
💉WHO now encourages ‘urgent’ booster shot access for all — after previously opposing them.
Forbes (EN)
💰Epidemic coalition raises $1.5bn at summit to prepare for next disease to cause a pandemic.
Health Policy Watch (EN)

Science and diplomacy reads by GESDA

The Arctic Council in Salekhard, northern Russia. (Credit: Thomas Nilsen)

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine will have collateral damage on the scientific and technology communities. From space collaborations to polar sciences, from crypto economics and other digital technologies to more geopolitical aspects, like food sovereignty, the scientific world that we used to know as being largely border-free and globally inclusive will be changing. Here is a collection of articles that show how.

- Olivier Dessibourg, GESDA

Arctic Council ‘in pause mode’ as seven of its eight member states condemn the war.

The Barents Observer (EN)

War in Ukraine poses stark choices for scientists. Ukrainian researchers hunker down or flee, as backlash against Russian science builds.

Science (EN)

What future is there for Russia’s foreign science collaborations? Mixed, at best. Non-existent at worst.

The Economist (EN)

US vs Russia for the future of the internet. US steps up efforts to defeat Russian candidate for UN telecommunications agency.

Axios (EN)

ICANN won’t revoke Russian Internet domains on claims it would have 'devastating' effects on the global internet system.

WIRED (EN)

What the war in Ukraine means for the world’s food supply. Food disruptions won’t remain an insular crisis.

The New York Times (EN)

The war in Ukraine could change everything: an interview with Yuval Noah Harari.

TED (EN)

This selection is proposed by the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator GESDA, working on anticipating cutting-edge science and technological advances to develop innovative and inclusive solutions for the benefit of the planet and its inhabitants.

GS news is a new media project covering the world of international cooperation and development. Don’t hesitate to forward our newsletter!

Have a good day!

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