Science diplomacy is gaining further ground in the EU under the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Spanish Presidency appreciates the crucial role that science and innovation have in addressing the significant socio-economic challenges that the EU will encounter in the foreseeable future.
The EU ministers for research and innovation met for an informal meeting in Santander, Spain on 27 and 28 July 2023. The first working session of this ministerial meeting dealt with strengthening a common European framework for science, technology and innovation diplomacy. The ministers discussed how to encourage traditional science diplomacy objectives such as achieving greater impact of science in external affairs through the closer collaboration of science and diplomacy.
The Spanish Minister for Science and Innovation, Diana Morant, stressed after the meeting that a new European agenda for science diplomacy would be a priority instrument for the EU to improve people’s lives, strengthen European leadership in the world, and assist with undertaking the double green and digital transition for our continent under the European values of sustainability and social justice.
Furthermore, the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) is an integral part of the agenda of the Spanish presidency, with the objective of securing member states’ dedication to its ongoing implementation until 2027.
Read about the results of the meeting on the website of the Spanish Presidency.
At the end of 2023, the Spanish Presidency will dedicate a 2-day conference to EU Science Diplomacy taking place in Madrid. More information will follow soon.
