Skip to main content
Research and innovation
News article18 June 2020Directorate-General for Research and Innovation

EU-Canada Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee met via video conference

The meeting of the EU-Canada Joint Science and Technology Committee took place on 18 June 2020 via video conference. It was co-chaired by Ms Maria Cristina Russo, R&I Director for International Cooperation and Mr Emmanuel Kamarianakis, Director General for Investment, Innovation and Education - Global Affairs – Government of Canada.

In their introductory remarks, both sides highlighted the continuously good level of cooperation between the EU and Canada in research and innovation. They took stock of Canada’s participation in Horizon 2020 with Canadian organisations participating more than 360 times in 305 projects.

The meeting covered discussions on the state of play and new developments, such as the New Frontiers in Research Fund with its international stream, and the recently launched co-funding mechanism.

The excellent R&I cooperation between the EU and Canada was further emphasised in the difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic. Canada has been an excellent partner actively involved in the success of many initiatives combatting COVID-19 pandemic like the recent pledging conference that aimed to ensure significant funding for the collaborative development and universal deployment of diagnostics, treatments and vaccines against coronavirus. Canada’s involvement was also highly appreciated in the matchmaking event organised by DG R&I on 10 June 2020. Both sides also highlight the support for initiatives on data sharing for all COVID-19-related funded research at the global level.

Both parties agreed on positioning Health, Green Deal, Climate Change, Digital Agenda, Artificial Intelligence and Quantum at the centre of an enhanced R&I strategic cooperation between EU and Canada. Specific thematic areas for future cooperation have been identified in the field of healthy oceans and seas, fisheries and oceans, agriculture, bioeconomy, advanced manufacturing, aviation, combatting COVID-19 pandemic and research on cancer.

Details

Publication date
18 June 2020
Author
Directorate-General for Research and Innovation