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African Union (AU) - European Union (EU) Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation[

In 2010, during the 2nd Africa-EU Summit in Tripoli, the EU and the AU adopted the AU-EU High Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) on Science, Technology and Innovation as an important element of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES). The dialogue serves as a platform for regular exchanges on research and innovation policy and aims to formulate and implement long-term priorities to strengthen Africa-Europe cooperation on science, technology and innovation.

 

 

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The AU-EU Partnership is a unique and strategic multi-actor alliance. It has steadily expanded in both scope and ambition. In today's geopolitical context, its political significance is clear.

The partnership relies on a collaborative Team Europe/Team Africa approach. It actively includes civil society, youth and women's groups, academic institutions, social actors, and the private sector. that aligns directly with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063.

AU-EU research and innovation cooperation has been delivering based on shared values and principles. These include academic freedom, research ethics, gender equality, open science, and evidence-based policy. They also demand fairness and reciprocity.

Together, these principles protect the integrity, security, and resilience of the entire knowledge chain. The African Union (AU) Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, hosted the first ever EU-AU research and innovation ministers' meeting in 2020. 

Based on the work of the HLPD, the thematic priorities for research and innovation were announced during the first ministerial meeting of the African Union and European Union research and innovation ministers in July 2020.

Various networks and partnerships are active within each priority area.

  • The European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP)
  • Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA)
  • Climate Change and Sustainable Energy (CCSE)
  • New areas of cooperation under discussion