Representatives from two powers discussed climate and health issues at dedicated meeting
The EU and the US have reaffirmed their “strong commitment” to science and technology cooperation.
On 2 April, the European Commission published a summary of a science and tech meeting held by policymakers in Washington DC in the US last month, which it said built on the existing EU-US Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation.
“Both sides recognise that research and innovation can play a pivotal role in achieving our shared objectives of achieving a sustainable global economy, protecting the environment, fostering technological cooperation and promoting democracy and security,” the Commission said.
Cancer and climate
Specific areas of focus included cooperation on cancer, the interplay between climate and health, aviation emissions, Earth observation and artificial intelligence, the Commission said.
The two sides agreed to start pilot demonstration projects to foster their cooperation on paediatric and lung cancer, with the aim of leading to better health outcomes.
On climate, they agreed to continue cooperating on sustainable aviation fuels and aviation emissions other than carbon dioxide, and to look for areas of R&I cooperation on food sustainability.
They also agreed to build on Arctic and polar research and to explore further cooperation on marine plastics under the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance.
Support for Ukraine
The situation in Ukraine was also addressed, the Commission said, with both sides “condemning Russia’s military aggression and outlining support initiatives aimed at integrating Ukrainian researchers into broader R&I frameworks”.
The US and the EU “underscored the importance of sustaining Ukrainian scientific talent…through targeted support mechanisms and fellowship programmes”, said the Commission.
The participants, who included Commission deputy director-general Signe Ratso, pledged to maintain regular dialogue and review their progress periodically.
