Examples of the links between science and diplomacy throughout history abound. Yet, ‘science diplomacy’ is a term and phenomenon of the 21st century. As  challenges become more global (e.g., environmental change and increasing disaster risk), their solutions require collaboration between international experts. In addition to advancing scientific discovery, science diplomacy supports broader objectives of maintaining peace and cooperation when official diplomatic relations are strained. In times of high geopolitical tensions, scientific engagement often provides the only opportunity to foster dialogue and establish connections between people. This session will illustrate the power of science diplomacy to advance scientific discovery and cross-border cooperation at international, regional, and local levels, and highlight elements of effective science diplomacy efforts.