The conference ‘Research and Innovation in Africa: a driver for development and partnerships’ will be organised (onsite and online) by the Permanent Representation of France to the EU on September 13, 2023, at Place de Louvain in Brussels.
Research and Innovation are important levers to strengthening sustainable partnerships with partner countries. Indeed, scientific collaborations are key to develop appropriate answers to global challenges – such as climate change or the emergence of new pathogens – by strengthening research capacities of partner countries. The Global Gateway strategy or the Global approach in the field of R&I offer a renewed political framework based on reciprocity, shared interests and targeted investments. Several initiatives have been launched to set up scientific partnerships while regional dialogues are also pursued to identify research themes of common interest. A roadmap for research and innovation between the European Union and the African Union was agreed at the occasion of the EU-AU Summit in February 2022. It identifies 4 objectives: translate innovative capacities and achievements into tangible outputs, strengthen innovation ecosystems, develop sustainable, long lasting and mutually beneficial higher education and R&I and scale up instruments that can take forward existing successful programmes and projects. In the context of the revision of the EU multiannual financial framework and of the programming of EU external action instruments for 25-27, the conference will discuss the role of research and innovation for the development of partnerships between the European Union and partner countries, through a focus on African countries.
Aims of the conference
• Through a focus on the EU-African scientific partnerships, brainstorming on the implementation of Research & Innovation policies in support to the Global Gateway strategy;
• Give visibility to European Research & Innovation expertise in the field of partnerships for development;
• Promote the dialogue between European research organisations and the European Commission on EU Research & Innovation policies and funding mechanisms in the Global Gateway context;
• Mobilize European research organizations in the implementation of the Global Gateway strategy;
• Provide a political framework for the creation of a European Research Alliance for Sustainable Development in partner countries in the Global South.
