To further strengthen cooperation on science and technology between South Africa and Europe, Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor will this week hold high-level meetings with her counterparts at the biennial EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF), in Denmark.
ESOF 2014, taking place in Copenhagen between June 21 and 26, was an open platform to showcase global research and promote dialogue on the role of science and technology in society and public policy.
Hosted by the Danish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education, the forum provided an opportunity for South Africa to showcase its science, technology and innovation (STI) activities and achievements and strengthen science and technology partnerships between South Africa and the European Union (EU).
Two young South African researchers would be among the thousands of scientists attending the event.
Pandor was expected to address sessions at the forum on various topics, including ‘Science building bridges – the South African experience’, ‘Building global partnerships’ and ‘Resolving our greatest public health challenges via science diplomacy’.
Since signing a science and technology cooperation agreement with the EU in 1996, South Africa had become one the most successful countries outside Europe to participate in the EU Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development, receiving over R400-million of EU funding.
Pandor noted that such initiatives were critical to advancing STI policy dialogue and cooperation between Africa and the EU.
"The African Union views South Africa as a key partner in harnessing EU support for the implementation of Africa's Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action," she remarked.