The G7 Science and Technology Ministers' meeting held in Bologna and Forlì, Italy, from 9 to 11 July 2024 underscored the pivotal role of science, technology, innovation, and higher education in contributing to a sustainable future, aligned with the shared values of democracy, respect for international law, and the promotion of human rights, fairness and freedom.
In the declaration adopted today, the ministers of G7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States) and Commissioner Iliana Ivanova, responsible for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, acknowledged a strong commitment to support Ukraine’s research and innovation ecosystem, new ways of cooperating to ensure research security and integrity, the need for a coherent approach for responsible AI in science, and the reinforcement of large research infrastructures.
Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said:
“To face our current challenges, we need to foster stronger collaboration among likeminded countries. This meeting reaffirmed our shared commitment to promote progress in research and innovation, aligned with the principles of openness, security, freedom and integrity. The European Commission stands firmly with our G7 partners in advancing these shared goals. Together, we are committed to harnessing the power of science and technology to create a more sustainable, secure and inclusive future for all."
The G7 Ministers highlighted the need to deliver coordinated and concrete support for Ukraine’s research and innovation ecosystem by sharing expertise, best practices, and solutions on leveraging science, technology, and innovation for sustainable reconstruction. Italy, as current G7 chair, offered to include science, technology and innovation in the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference, thereby underlining the key role of research and innovation for the recovery of Ukraine as a sustainable economy.
The meeting also stressed the importance of promoting research security and integrity in international collaborations. They also reaffirmed the value of open science and the equitable dissemination of scientific knowledge. They committed to enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in science and technology.
On large research infrastructures, the G7 Ministers highlighted their role as exceptional venues for facilitating talent and knowledge exchange to build new skills. Given the high complexity of managing large research infrastructures, they acknowledged the value of facilitating the pooling of experiences and sharing of best practices and proposed to pilot an initiative aimed at facilitating a dialogue among managers of large research infrastructures across G7 members. The meeting also underscored the need to foster advancements in new and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and biotechnology. The Ministers advocated for responsible research and international cooperation in these fields.
A dedicated session of the Ministerial focused on cooperation in research and innovation with Africa, which is a key priority for the European Union. Initiatives such as the African Union-European Union Innovation Agenda, the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnership (EDCTP3), and the EU Flagship Programme Youth Mobility for Africa support this aim.
Following a suggestion by the EU, G7 Ministers stated that more in-depth research on marine ecosystems and oceans health, as well as their interactions with the general functioning is urgently needed, considering the growing interest in deep-sea resources and the potential impacts of activities such as mining.
After the Ministerial, Commissioner Ivanova opened the G7 High Level Conference on Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean Health and Coastal Resilience, organised jointly by the G7 Presidency and the European Commission under the auspices of the Restore our Ocean and Waters Mission. On that occasion, the Italian Minister for Universities and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, and the Minister for Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, officially endorsed the Charter of the Mission Ocean and Waters and committed to actions aimed at restoring water bodies.
Attended by several G7 Ministers, the conference showcased the ongoing international efforts to conserve, protect, and restore marine biodiversity, enhance climate resilience, and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events and pollution on coastal communities, in line with the European Green Deal.
More information
Council Recommendation on enhancing Research Security
Research and innovation support to Ukraine
PRIMA: Partnership for Research & Innovation in the Mediterranean area (prima-med.org)
EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters
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Details
- Publication date
- 11 July 2024
- Author
- Directorate-General for Research and Innovation