Today, the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) convened its 76th Governing Board (GB) in a hybrid format, with most participants gathering in Oslo, Norway and virtually for those unable to attend in-person. The ISTC is an intergovernmental organization with diplomatic status, established by international agreement in 1992 to advance basic and applied peaceful scientific research collaboration among governmental, academic, and commercial partners in chemistry, biology, nuclear science and engineering, and numerous related disciplines, in order to promote the improvement of international mechanisms for the prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) as well as to promote a culture of security with respect to the handling of dual-use materials, equipment, and technology of WMD. 

We addressed an array of global security and nonproliferation opportunities and challenges at today's meeting," - said ISTC Board Chair Ronald Lehman. "Our board represents a diverse range of countries that share common scientific objectives, chief among them, peaceful research."

“We are proud of ISTC's work and our partners over the last year" - said Board Chair Ronald Lehman. "Our board members exchanged perspectives on our ongoing projects and we are making a new ISTC strategic plan and road map for the future. Our diverse and talented Board Members provide solid leadership and oversight to our work and the work of our partners”.

The ISTC Headquarters is in Astana, Kazakhstan. Current member governments include Armenia, the European Union, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea, the Kyrgyz Republic, Norway, Tajikistan, and the United States.  Scientists and funding organizations from nearly 100 countries have participated in ISTC activities and, in recent years, the ISTC has expanded its research footprint beyond Central Asia and the Caucasus to include a broadening array of collaboration and capacity-building partnerships with African, Middle East and South Asian partners, which is ever expanding.

All the ISTC members were represented in today’s Governing Board meeting which was preceded by strategic discussions to the prior day to guide the future direction of the ISTC. The ISTC Secretariat briefed the Parties on its ongoing operations, including its current programming which consists of 96 ongoing projects that involve a spectrum of impactful work in CBRN capacity building and on safety, security and safeguards.

The Parties also discussed their efforts to support the ISTC’s sister center, the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU), the Ukrainian scientific community, and countering disinformation towards the Centers’ activities.

The ISTC and its members expressed their strongest support for Ukraine and denounced Russia’s invasion, as well as its pernicious campaign of lies against the ISTC and STCU, its Partners, and the important work that both Centers carry out to advance global peace and prosperity by supporting civilian science and technology partnerships that address global security threats and advance nonproliferation.