Union for the Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Research and Innovation [fr]
Jointly organised under the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 29 and 30 June 2022, this is the first Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) ministerial conference on research and innovation, which aims to give political impetus to strengthening cooperation in these domains in the Mediterranean region.
New Priorities for Cooperation in Research and Innovation
This ministerial conference is being organised subsequent to the definition of new thematic priorities initiated at the end of 2019 by the co-presidency of the UfM held by the European Commission and Jordan, as well as the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean.
On 7 July 2021, the Union for the Mediterranean Regional Platform in Research and Innovation adopted roadmaps on three priorities relative to research and innovation, namely health, renewable energy and climate change.
Ministerial discussions on the implementation of the thematic priorities
Attended by European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, the meeting will bring together the 42 ministers in charge of research and innovation of the UfM Member States, in virtual format.
The event will be opened by the French Minister of Higher Education and Research, Sylvie Retailleau, representing the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and will be co-presided by the European Commission and Jordan.
The ministerial conference will examine the advancement of cooperation since the Valetta Declaration of May 2017 on “Strengthening Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation Through Research and Innovation”. The ministers will then be invited to participate in discussions on implementing the roadmaps for the three priorities outlined for research and innovation.
Towards enhanced regional cooperation
The conclusions adopted by the ministers at the end of the meeting will pave the way for enhanced regional cooperation based on the three thematic priorities mentioned, as well as on the need for a shared vision of fundamental values and principles in research and innovation.