Addis Ababa, The 9th AU-EU High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) convened in Addis Ababa, bringing together senior officials, researchers, and policymakers from the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) to strengthen cooperation in research and innovation.
Shared Vision for Inclusive Innovation
Co-chaired by African Union Commissioner Mohammed Belhocine and European Commissioner Iliana Ivanova, the meeting reaffirmed both continents’ commitment to co-creating knowledge, building research capacity, and addressing global challenges through science and technology.
Key themes included:
- Climate resilience and green transition
- Health innovation and pandemic preparedness
- Digital transformation and connectivity
- Youth empowerment through research mobility
Strategic Partnerships and Funding
The dialogue highlighted ongoing and future collaboration under the AU-EU Innovation Agenda, which supports joint projects, capacity building, and policy alignment. The EU reaffirmed its support through Horizon Europe, while the AU emphasized the importance of African-led research networks and regional innovation ecosystems.
Voices from the Field
Participants from universities, research institutes, and civil society shared success stories and challenges, underscoring the need for inclusive funding mechanisms, gender equity in STEM, and open access to scientific data.
Roadmap Ahead
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to:
- Launch joint calls for research proposals
- Expand mobility programs for African and European researchers
- Strengthen science diplomacy and policy harmonization
This dialogue builds on the momentum of previous AU-EU summits and sets the stage for deeper cooperation in tackling shared priorities through innovation.
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