The European Commission adopts Communication on Europe's global approach to cooperation in research and innovation
On 18 May, the European Commission adopted a Communication on its global approach to research and innovation, entitled Europe's strategy for international cooperation in a changing world. This Communication will supersede Europe's previous strategy for international cooperation in research and innovation as a response to today's significantly different global context and align the EU's international cooperation with its current priorities.
Accordingly, the EU aims to take a leading role in supporting international research and innovation partnerships and seeks to deliver innovative solutions to contribute to a green, digital, and healthy society. The global approach to research and innovation correspondingly reconfirms Europe's commitment to a level of global openness that is needed to drive excellence, pool resources to achieve scientific progress, and develop vibrant innovation ecosystems.
The new strategy builds on two principal objectives. First, it aims for a research and innovation environment that is based on rules and values, and applies an open by default approach. Second, it aims to ensure reciprocity and a level-playing field in international cooperation for research and innovation. This should facilitate close collaboration between researchers and innovators in multilateral partnerships and support the identification of solutions to global challenges, such as climate change and pandemics.
While various actions are proposed within the newly adopted Communication, members of the Avicenna Alliance may be particularly interested in the following:
- Promoting the digital transition: Within this area of action, international digital partnerships will be promoted through enhanced focus and research partnerships on key technologies such as artificial intelligence, internet of things, big data, and applications of digital technologies to among others the healthcare sector.
- Strengthening cooperation on global health: Within this area of action, access to medicines and health products will be promoted with a view to strengthening health systems.
The EU’s research and innovation framework programme Horizon Europe 2021-2027 will be a central instrument for the implementation of Europe's global approach to cooperation in research and innovation. Close coordination and cooperation between the EU and its Member States will be key to the successful delivery of the strategy. In this regard, the European Commission will promote initiatives based upon the so-called Team Europe approach by combining the efforts of the EU, its Member States, and European financial institutions.