Science ministers of the world’s advanced economies, the G7 countries – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union – met on 12-14 June in Frankfurt. Amongst numerous significant topics, international scientific cooperation was also discussed in detail.

On a global stage, increasingly characterised by hostilities, as well as ideological and political incompatibilities, scientific cooperation may be in a tight spot. According to Science/Business, the leading countries’ growing focus on safeguarding their technologies may harm scientific progress.

High level officials recognised this issue, and while acknowledging the need for security, they confirmed their commitments to scientific openness. However, these pleas happened in the face of many complaints from researchers who perceive that geopolitical barriers are standing in the way of cooperation. To respond to these calls, G7 members founded a working group to develop a toolkit with the aim of advancing research freedom, scientific integrity and security among academics amongst the countries concerned.