Water4All joined this conference, organised by the Permanent Representation of France to the EU, on 13th September.
This conference follows the launching of several initiatives for scientific cooperation, amongst which the EU-African Union roadmap can be highlighted.
The aims of the conference were:
- to brainstorm on the implementation of R&I policies in support to the EU’s global gateway strategy;
- to give visibility to EU’s Horizon Europe Partnerships;
- to promote dialogue between European research organisations and the European Commission;
- to mobilise European research organisations in the implementation of EU’s global strategy;
- to provide a political framework for the creation of a European Research Alliance for Sustainable Development in partner countries.
The conference counted with the participation of representatives of the European Commission, the French and German Ministries of Research, and the African Union. It was structured around three round tables on the needs and specificities for R&I development in Africa, possible synergies between running programmes, and tools and resources available for scientific cooperation. Amongst other points, participants stressed the need to give more visibility to R&I success stories, research infrastructures, cross-fertilisation, and a joint agenda. There is also a need to better link research activities with business opportunities.
