The Strategic Role of Moroccan Universities in Science Diplomacy: Stakes, Levers and Perspectives

2.1. Knowledge production and scientific legitimacy

Universities form the foundation of national scientific research. They produce the data, analyses and innovations needed to address global problems. This capacity gives academics a particular legitimacy in international forums, where scientific credibility has become a central element of multilateral negotiations.

Scientific production in our country has grown markedly over the past decade. Between 2015 and 2024, the number of publications related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) rose from approximately 1,258 to more than 6,100 per year, with a total corpus of 31,889 indexed publications between 2015 and 2024. The international co-authorship rate is around 36.8%, indicating active cooperation with European and North American partners.

The rise in publications reflects real dynamism among Moroccan universities on the global scientific stage, even though the visibility and impact of this work remain below those of reference countries.

In the fields of climate, health, energy and biosecurity, academic contributions play a decisive role in shaping international conventions, drafting technical standards and assessing risks. In this sense, the direct involvement of researchers in diplomatic processes strengthens the quality and relevance of decisions taken.

2.2. Training future actors of science diplomacy

Beyond research, universities have a structuring training mission. They are called upon to prepare a new generation of hybrid profiles capable of navigating between the scientific, political and diplomatic worlds. These cross-cutting competencies are becoming essential at a time when international negotiations require a fine understanding of technical issues as well as geopolitical dynamics.

Developing academic tracks specifically geared towards science diplomacy, science–policy interfaces and the international governance of knowledge constitutes a major strategic lever for durably strengthening Morocco's presence and influence on the international stage. Beyond classical disciplinary curricula, the aim is to design hybrid, interdisciplinary tracks articulating hard sciences, social sciences, international relations and public policy.

Illustratively, the creation of specialised master's programmes in science diplomacy and evidence-based international negotiation would train profiles capable of translating complex data into operational diplomatic positions. Programmes in science, technology and public policy (STPP), integrating modules in global risk analysis, international regulation, climate diplomacy or health security, would offer a structured bridge between research and public decision-making. In addition, short executive trainings for diplomats, senior civil servants and private-sector executives could strengthen national capacities for science–policy dialogue on priority topics such as energy, green hydrogen, water, desalination and biosecurity.

Pedagogical innovation can also take shape through the creation of academic chairs and public-policy labs dedicated to science diplomacy, bringing together universities, ministries, diplomatic training institutes and international partners. These instruments would offer spaces for experimentation, co-production of knowledge and simulation of multilateral negotiations, contributing to the emergence of a new generation of cadres able to operate effectively at the interface of science and diplomacy. By structuring a training offer adapted to global challenges, Morocco would strengthen its ability to anticipate, influence and co-build the international agendas linked to global commons.

3.1. The role of decision-makers and diplomats

Science diplomacy cannot be effective without a clear governance framework and a coherent articulation between institutional actors. Political decision-makers, diplomats and senior administrative officials play a key role in integrating scientific expertise into national strategies and the positions defended in multilateral arenas.

Morocco actively participates in international scientific dialogue. For example, during the Global Ministerial Dialogue on Science Diplomacy organised by UNESCO, the Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to open, inclusive and collaborative science, underlining the importance of sharing knowledge and scientific infrastructure.

Morocco's participation in these dialogues reflects a proactive approach, but it must be consolidated by more coherent national strategies that fully exploit these diplomatic platforms to promote the country's scientific and economic interests.

In a context of strained multilateralism marked by divergent interests and capability asymmetries, science can serve as a common language facilitating dialogue and cooperation. This opportunity, however, requires explicit institutional recognition of the role of universities and scientific experts in decision-making processes.

3.2. Opportunities and limits of scientific multilateralism

Multilateral agreements — on climate, health or non-proliferation — offer privileged spaces for the expression of science diplomacy. Yet these spaces are also crossed by political and economic power dynamics that can limit the impact of scientific contributions.

In this context, strengthening national capacities in science diplomacy appears as an essential condition for effectively defending the country's interests while contributing constructively to global public goods.

4.1. Technical and institutional challenges

Scientists engaged in multilateral processes identify several obstacles to a fully operational science diplomacy:

• insufficient long-term funding,
• weak inter-institutional coordination,
• a lack of institutional recognition of scientific contributions in international negotiations, and
• limited articulation between fundamental research and socio-economic needs.

These challenges hinder universities' ability to participate effectively in international processes and to use science diplomacy to strengthen the position of Morocco and its research institutions.

4.2. Lessons learned: Morocco's participation in multilateral frameworks

Morocco's participation in multilateral frameworks — particularly in climate negotiations and conventions related to biological and chemical weapons — illustrates the potential of science diplomacy as a tool of influence and international credibility.

As part of its commitment to strengthening the international biological non-proliferation regime, Morocco actively participated in the expert meetings of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), notably at the meeting held in Geneva in August 2008.

This participation allowed Morocco to share national experience in the governance of biological agents while contributing to technical discussions on the implementation of Article X (international cooperation) and on confidence-building mechanisms (CBMs).

Such engagement illustrates Morocco's anchoring in multilateral biological-security frameworks and its positioning as a responsible actor in the global governance of biological risks.

More broadly, the involvement of national experts in these processes not only allows the country to defend its positions, but also strengthens internal competencies and fosters the transfer of knowledge to national institutions.

4.3. IMFRED as a national platform of convergence between science and diplomacy

The Moroccan Institute of Training, Research and Diplomatic Studies (IMFRED) is a structuring pillar of Moroccan science diplomacy. Created by decree no. 2.11.103 of 11 April 2011 and reporting to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Living Abroad, IMFRED provides the initial and continuous training of Moroccan diplomats and also welcomes diplomats from several regions of the world as part of cooperation and capacity-building programmes.

Training sessions have been privileged spaces of exchange between scientists and diplomatic practitioners, concretely demonstrating the added value of scientific expertise in understanding and implementing public policy on an international scale.

These interventions have also showcased Morocco's progress on climate policy, integrated water resources management and the transition to sustainable development, before diplomats called to assume responsibilities in their respective countries or within international organisations. IMFRED's experience thus shows how a national diplomatic-training apparatus can become a vehicle of scientific and political influence while strengthening the Kingdom's positioning as a credible, engaged actor in multilateral negotiations on climate and environmental issues.

To strengthen the role of Moroccan universities in science diplomacy, several lines of action can be considered:

1. institutionalise science diplomacy within universities through dedicated structures and coordination mechanisms with the relevant ministries,
2. create and reinforce interdisciplinary academic tracks covering the science–policy–diplomacy interfaces,
3. valorise the international engagement of researchers, by including it in academic evaluation criteria,
4. target strategic priority areas, such as energy, green hydrogen, water, desalination, health security, sport and culture, and
5. foster dialogue platforms, such as hybrid seminars hosted by universities, to strengthen synergies between diplomats, researchers and decision-makers.

At a time when the great contemporary issues — climate, health, energy and security — are redefining international balances, science diplomacy is emerging as a structuring instrument of states' external action. It allows political decisions to be anchored in reliable, shared knowledge and creates spaces of cooperation and trust in an increasingly complex and fragmented international environment. For Morocco, this instrument represents a first-order strategic opportunity to combine scientific excellence, diplomatic credibility and international influence.

In this dynamic, Moroccan universities hold a pivotal position. Their role is no longer limited to the production of academic knowledge; it extends to the training of hybrid competencies able to articulate science, public policy and international relations. By fostering dialogue between researchers, decision-makers and diplomats, university institutions can decisively contribute to building national positions grounded in expertise and to defending the Kingdom's interests in multilateral arenas.

Consolidating an ambitious Moroccan science diplomacy nonetheless requires structuring choices: clarification of institutional frameworks, recognition of the international engagement of scientists, sustained investments in research and training, and the development of international partnerships aligned with national priorities — particularly in energy, water, climate and the sustainable transition. By resolutely committing to this trajectory, Morocco would be able to strengthen its role as a bridge between science and diplomacy, while actively contributing to the production of collective solutions for global commons.