Authors: Martin Rauchbauer | Pavlina Ittelson

Other hubs of tech diplomacy

2023

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Many countries are planning to expand their networks to encompass major hubs of tech diplomacy, innovation, and policy discussions. In addition to the Bay Area, there are other tech diplomacy hubs on the territory of the USA, such as Houston, Chicago, Boston, and New York. Zooming out to the global level, several cities have profiled themselves as major hubs of tech diplomacy. 

Bengaluru, India

Since 2016, Bengaluru has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing mature tech ecosystem in the world, and is recognised as having a rich pool of talent, innovation, and technology. Bengaluru, also known as ‘India’s Silicon Valley’, does not have a strategy in place to create synergies between its tech and innovation system and international presence. However, the Forum for Indian Science Diplomacy launched a diplomacy programme in Bengaluru to boost its engagement in science diplomacy. This hub is a good example of how top-down science diplomacy efforts can foster city-led science and tech diplomacy.

According to the Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise PayneT1he Times of India. (2021, November 18). Bengaluru top IT hub, we’ll set up consulate: Australian prime minister.   http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/87768640.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst, Australia is planning to open a consulate general in Bengaluru in 2023 with the aim to foster positive partnership for an open, accessible, and secure technology system. Australia will join the Netherlands, France, Canada, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, and others in pursuing tech diplomacy goals in this location.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona was the world’s first city to formulate a comprehensive science diplomacy strategy, independent from regional or national government. In 2018 Barcelona launched the Barcelona Science and Technology Diplomacy Hub, a non-profit public–private partnership, backed by the city council, leading research centres, universities, non-profits, start-ups, and corporations. It now holds a diplomatic circle on tech diplomacy, serving as a platform to engage in periodic visits, encounters, and policy briefings between the 100+ diplomatic missions and international organisations serving the city with the purpose of exchanging good practices. 

One of the core goals of Barcelona’s science diplomacy strategy is the consolidation of Barcelona as an innovation capital that is ready to meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs) through science and technology. It is a member of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network2Sustainable Development Solutions Network. (n.d.). SDSN member institutions. https://www.unsdsn.org/sdsn-members. Additionally, the OECD Observatory of Public Sector Innovation3Observatory of Public Sector Innovation. (2021, September 3). Barcelona alumni: A digital science-policy nexus connecting international talent to local. https://oecd-opsi.org/innovations/barcelona-alumni-a-digital-science-policy-nexus-connecting-international-talent-to-local-challenges/ featured it as a best practice for boosting the science–policy nexus.4Abdullah, H. (2021). City-led science diplomacy: Building urban sustainability and resilience at the science-policy interface. CIDOB. https://www.cidob.org/publicaciones/serie_de_publicacion/notes_internacionals_cidob/258/city_led_science_diplomacy_building_urban_sustainability_and_resilience_at_the_science_policy_interface

Beijing, China

Beijing’s Zhongguancun tech and innovation hub, also known as the ‘Chinese Silicon Valley’, does not hide its ambition to become a global tech diplomacy hub. The Chinese big tech companies Alibaba, Tencent, and Huawei have their seats there, and further expansion is planned over the next five years with the support of the government. Expansion is envisioned in the pharmaceutical, integrated circuits, and new energy sectors. With 173 embassies already in place, Beijing is a practical location to tech diplomacy discussions.

Geneva, Switzerland

Geneva is building on its historical reputation as a neutral place for diplomatic negotiations, and is an important platform of Swiss foreign policy through International Geneva. In addition to being home to the UN and more than 40 international organisations, such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) that are critical forums in discussions on digital policy, there are 180 permanent missions in this city. Many large tech companies have seats in Geneva. These include Microsoft, Apple, IBM, Oracle, and Salesforce. In addition to the thriving start-up and early financing ecosystem is the high-quality pool of academic research and development talent. In Diplo’s recent mapping of digital policy actors and internet governance in Geneva, the Geneva Atlas 2.05Digital Watch. About the Geneva digital atlas 2.0. Geneva Internet Platform. https://dig.watch/atlas found that 50% of digital policy discussions currently take place in Geneva.

A pie chart depicting areas of digital policy issues addressed in Geneva - human rights, legal, infrastructure, sociocultural, economic. 50% of all digital policy issues are addressed in Geneva.

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