The author analyzes the crisis of rules-based multilateralism and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and makes a plea for science diplomacy to underpin the reform of the multilateral system, making it fit for the systemic challenges of this century.

The degree to which global concerns are incorporated into national aspirations becomes one of the most important factors in determining whether countries can tackle worldwide problems together. 

I believe that science policy and science diplomacy can play a key part in getting America back on track, but that first requires a candid assessment of what has gone wrong with our science advisory ecosystem and science-policy-society interface.

In a crisis, turn to deliberate, collaborative, transparent science. 

Catastrophic failures of the science-policy interface in many countries and globally have led to disastrous outcomes for public health, the economy, and international collaboration. 

The current G7 proposal for a global ocean observing initiative is a valuable test case for the role of science in shaping diplomatic relations in the management of international spaces beyond national jurisdiction.