The lecture, entitled "Lessons from Africa: health diplomacy in HIV prevention", highlights the importance of science in uncertain times for the benefit of humanity and the sustainability of the planet. Scientific advances require synergistic partnerships and collaboration within and between countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the interconnectedness and vulnerability of people. At the same time, it revealed large differences between high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries in terms of production capacity, research capacity, investment in science, and access to affordable biotechnologies.[1]