EU-South Africa mark 30 years of research and innovation cooperation
The European Union (EU) and South Africa marked the 30th anniversary of their bilateral cooperation in research and innovation
(R&I) on 17 June 2026 in Brussels, reflecting on three decades of joint achievements and future collaboration.
Signed in 1996, the EU-South Africa Science and Technology Agreement has become one of the EU’s longest-standing and most comprehensive bilateral R&I partnerships with a third country.
Over the years, the cooperation has advanced joint research, scientific excellence, innovation capacity and sustainable development across key areas from public health, climate action, biodiversityclean energy to marine and ocean science, astronomy, research infrastructures, open science, researchers’ mobility and science diplomacy.
The programme focused on several flagship initiatives developed through the partnership, including cooperation on public health through the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP); nuclear medicine research for cancer treatment under the European Commission Joint Research Centre’s NuMeRI programme; green transition initiatives under LEAP-Renewable Energy and LEAP-Sustainable Energy; collaboration on innovation and technology through the Square Kilometre Array (SKA); and capacity-building initiatives supported by the European-South African Science and Technology Advancement Programme (ESASTAP) Network.
Discussions also focused on the evolution of this partnership and the importance of maintaining strong international scientific cooperation in a rapidly changing global environment, shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, technological change, climate pressures and health risks
High-level testimonials reflected on the long-term impact of the cooperation and underlined the importance of science, technology and innovation for a shared sustainable future between Europe and South Africa.
The anniversary concluded with renewed commitments to deepen cooperation in science, technology and innovation, strengthen researchers’ mobility, support sustainable development goals and further reinforce R&I collaboration between Europe and South Africa for future generations.