5th EU-Jordan Joint Science & Technology Cooperation Committee

On 7 December 2020, the 5th EU-Jordan Joint S&T Cooperation Committee took place through virtual meeting. The meeting was co-chaired by Maria Cristina Russo,  Director for International Cooperation of DG Research and Innovation (DG RTD) and by Dr. Arafah Dia-Eddin, Secretary-General for the Higher Council for Science & Technology (HCST) Jordan. A Scientific and Technological (S&T) cooperation agreement between the EU and Jordan was signed in November 2009.  The agreement entered into force on 29 March 2011. An EU-Jordan Joint Committee has been established with the aim to implement the S&T cooperation agreement.

Jordan is a valuable EU partner in research and innovation and particularly in bi-regional science diplomacy initiatives such as the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA). Together with the European Commission’s DG RTD, Jordan’s HCST co-chairs the meetings of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Regional Platform for Research and Innovation. As such, Jordan’s HCST is an important partner in Euro-Mediterranean collaboration in research and innovation.

What emerged from the bilateral discussions was a stark convergence on overarching strategic priority areas in research and innovation for the future based on joint challenges which Jordan, and particularly Southern and Eastern European countries are facing  in the Mediterranean region, such as water scarcity and sustainable agriculture production resulting from adverse climate change impacts.

Jordan’s National Policy and Strategy for Science, Technology, and Innovation of Jordan (2021-2025) includes research priorities on water, food, energy, health, and education, which are all closely linked with the UfM Platform’s priorities for future R&I collaboration in the Mediterranean region. Namely, Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Health. One of the main ideas to be explored is on how to support the enhancement of participation of Jordan in the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon Europe, in particular, to support researchers in applying for calls under the excellent science pillar. Further synergies can be promoted with the global challenges in Pillar II of Horizon Europe addressing, for example, the following thematic areas: climate energy and mobility; Food, bio-economy, natural resources, agriculture, and environment; health; culture creativity and inclusive society; civil security for society.

The following points were discussed at the meeting:

• the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA)
• Research Infrastructures and the Synchrotron-light Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME)
• Health and Covid-related research
• Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
• Open Science

More information

International cooperation with Jordan