Gender: Man
Nationality: Beninese
Academy Affiliation: Benin National Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters (Académie nationale des Sciences, Arts et Lettres du Bénin)
Academy Country: Benin
Field: Mathematics, Physics, Science Diplomacy and Complexity

NOMINATED FOR: Communication, Education and Outreach Committee;
TERM: Candidate has previously served on a different IAP leadership position

DESCRIPTION OF INVOLVEMENT IN THE ACADEMY'S ACTIVITIES OR IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS:
Professor Mahouton Norbert Hounkonnou is a renowned academic, member of several science academies in Africa and internationally, with extensive expertise in the management of academies and networks of science academies and learned societies. With his rich experience, he was elected President of our Academy for two three-year terms, from 2015 to 2020. In this position, he was able to raise our Academy to the national and regional levels, thanks to its official recognition by public authorities (through a creation decree) and the private sector, and global, by integrating it into renowned learned societies. Through his mastery of scientific diplomacy and his scientific authority, he succeeded in convincing the authorities to provide the Academy with a budget line in the general state budget. He is one of the undisputed leaders of our Academy who illuminates and contributes to the animation of its scientific and societal life to better assume its mission of global human development in our country and elsewhere through the Sciences, Arts and Letters. Under his leadership, among many other key initiatives, the Academy established Standing Committees composed of academicians, university professors, and representatives from key ministries to reflect on and support decision-makers on the SDGs. He represents the Academy at international forums to which it is invited. He currently chairs its Standing Committee on Education and Ethics.

EVIDENCE OF PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES IN AN IAP, NATIONAL ACADEMY OR OTHER SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING BODY:
Member of IAP Advisory Committee; Member of the Global Council  of InterAcademy Partnership Science Education Programme; President of the Network of African Science Academies; Former  President of Benin National Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters; Chair of the Conference of Associate Members of the Organisation of Educational Cooperation, Addis-Ababa, 2023; President of Scientific Committee for African Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation  for a Competitive Economic Community of West African States,  2022; Member elected representative for Africa of the International Mathematical Union Commission for developing countries, 2023 - present; Member of the Scientific Council of the Centre International de Mathématiques Pures et Appliquées, 2017-2025; Co-chair of the Network of African, European and Mediterranean Academies of Sciences for Science Education, 2015 - present; Chair of the African Academy of Sciences Membership Advisory Committee on Mathematical Sciences, 2013 – 2024.