EU global approach to research and innovation

SUMMARY OF:

Commission communication – Global approach to research and innovation, Europe’s strategy for international cooperation in a changing world

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE COMMUNICATION?

To preserve openness in research and innovation (R&I) international cooperation.
To promote a level playing field and reciprocity underpinned by fundamental values.
To strengthen multilateral partnerships to deliver new solutions to green, digital, health and innovation challenges.

KEY POINTS

A Team Europe approach

The global approach to R & I reaffirms that the European Union (EU) is committed to the level of global openness needed to drive excellence, pool resources for scientific progress and develop vibrant innovation ecosystems. The EU intends to work with international partners to create a common understanding of fundamental principles and values in R & I, such as academic freedom, gender equality, research ethics, open science and evidence-based policymaking.

Commitment to international openness and fundamental values

The EU reaffirms its commitment to:

develop principles for international cooperation with EU Member States; and
promote these principles in dialogue with partner countries and in international settings.

Rebalancing the EU’s global approach towards a level playing field and reciprocity

The EU is committed to:

agreeing on targeted bilateral roadmaps with priority non-EU partners who have a strong R & I base, setting out joint commitments to implement framework conditions to secure a level playing field and the promotion of shared values;
developing guidelines on foreign interference targeting EU research organisations and higher education institutions;
presenting a code of practice on smart use of intellectual property in an international context.

Pooling global efforts to tackle global challenges together

The EU is committed to the following.

Leading global efforts towards a just green transition:
- strengthening marine cooperation through the multilateral All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance;
- reinforcing the multilateral alliance of Mission Innovation, focusing on breakthrough energy technologies;
- supporting multilateral cooperation on R&I policy for fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food systems;
- setting up an international knowledge management platform, through the new European Bauhaus initiative, to disseminate information and share ideas and best practices.
Promoting the digital transition:
- building joint research activities on industrial issues, to support EU leadership in technologies such as 6G or the use of digital technology in the fight against climate change and environmental challenges;
- shaping strong international digital partnerships matching the four pillars of the 2030 digital compass.
Strengthening cooperation on global health:
- contributing to the medium-and long-term agenda on health security, preparedness and health systems;
- promoting cooperation of EU-funded European platform trials with the access to COVID-19 tools accelerator partnerships and pursue the related objectives;
- support a global health joint undertaking under the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership.
Promoting innovation:
- setting up win-win international innovation partnerships, consisting of networks of incubators and accelerators, with countries and regions that offer reciprocal openness to entrepreneurship and investment;
- the European Innovation Council’s business acceleration services will offer the EU start-up and scale-up companies it supports the opportunity to attend international trade fairs.

Cooperation with priority non-EU countries and regions

The EU commits to:

strengthening cooperation with industrialised non-EU countries and emerging economies;
integrating cooperation with European Free Trade Association countries, the Western Balkans, Turkey, countries covered by the European neighbourhood policy and the United Kingdom;
deepening partnerships with Africa, Latin America and other regions and countries;
developing international cooperation in calls for proposals in areas of mutual interest under Horizon Europe;
developing strategic R & I plans for Africa under Horizon Europe;
seeking to agree on the EU-China joint roadmap on science, technology and innovation cooperation to secure a level playing field and reciprocity as a precondition for future cooperation;
implementing the strategic roadmap of the EU–Community of Latin American and Caribbean States action plan on science, technology and innovation (2021–2023) and supporting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations–EU dialogue on science and technology.

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

International cooperation – (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the Global Approach to Research and Innovation Europe’s strategy for international cooperation in a changing world (COM(2021) 252 final/2, 18.5.2021).

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