The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) a announcement that Daniel Whittle, Valerie Miller d’Edf and Eduardo Boné Morón, are the recipients of the 2025 Aaas David & Betty Hamburg Prize for scientific diplomacy.
The price recognizes an individual or a small group working in the community of scientific or foreign policy which makes an exceptional contribution to the promotion of scientific diplomacy.
Whittle, Miller and Boné Morón are honored for their “long and supported success in promoting environmental and scientific cooperation between the United States and Cuba to protect fragile and shared marine ecosystems from both countries”.
In December 2000, as part of its efforts to put an end to overfishing and protect vital marine habitats along the southeast coast of the United States, the EDF established contact with scientists and others Cuba professionals who studied and protected marine ecosystems there. Due to the currents in force and the proximity of Cuba to the United States, marine and land ecosystems in the two countries are closely linked.
These initial conversations have turned into a series of productive scientific and environmental collaborations that lasted the last quarter of a century.
“We are delighted and honored to receive this award,” said ReduceWho has co-founded EDF’s work in Cuba and is now associate vice-president for the organization. “This prize also reflects the hard work and the dedication of so many colleagues in Cuba who made these lasting partnerships possible.”
“The sea unites us,” said MillerWho joined EDF in 2012 and is now director of the Cuba program at EDF. “The health of our shared ecosystems depends directly on a good science and good decision -making in the two countries. None of the two countries can go a horseman alone.
“Scientific collaborations between us and Cuban experts have produced results that are precious for the conservation of coral reefs and sustainable management of fisheries throughout the region,” said Boné MorónWho joined EDF in 2016 and who is also principal director of the Cuba program of EDF and president of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute.
Over the years, EDF has provided scientific support which has informed the development of a network across the island of marine areas in Cuba, one of the most extensive networks in the hemisphere. After the oil spill of the BP in 2010, Whittle facilitated conversations between American and Cuban officials, which finally led to a biparal agreement on prevention and the response to future oil spills. In 2023, the EDF collaborated with 30 institutions in Cuba to complete a Historical expedition of coral reefsGo around the country to assess the health of its coral reefs, fish and marine life. The data collected informs the management of the sustainable navy in Cuba and guide decision -makers in the Caribbean to combat the impacts of climate change. Learn more about EDF’s work in Cuba can be found here.
Aaas has recognized the leaders of scientific diplomacy since 1992, reversing the prize in 2021 for David and Betty Hamburg Recognize “their unrivaled commitment to the important role of scientific diplomacy to advance science, human rights, peace and cooperation”. Last year Dr Tareq Abu Hamed received the prize for “the use of science to establish relationships through the Middle East, in particular between the Israelis and the Palestinians, to work together to respond to mutual environmental concerns”. A list of all recipients can be found here.