The Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs Naledi Pandor, is in Brussels to attend the third South Africa-European Union Summit taking place on 28 September, during which science and technology will feature prominently.
The summit is an annual event at which cooperation under the SA-EU strategic partnership is reviewed at the highest level. Science and technology is one of the flagship areas of cooperation under this partnership.
Current EU investment in science and technology in South Africa is close to R600 million.
Minister Pandor will participate in a number of strategic events to strengthen South Africa's research and innovation partnership with Europe. The events will not only highlight the importance of the contribution of science and technology to the overall strengthening of the SA-EU relations, but will also identify opportunities and develop concrete plans for exploiting new partnerships.
The minister will host Science at the Summit, a major programme that will bring together a range of South African and European experts. Running from 27 to 29 September 2010, the Science at the Summit programme comprises five seminars focused on the following themes:
- Marking 50 years of laser innovation and exploring opportunities for Africa-Europe partnership in laser science and technology, seeking to develop new partnerships for the African Laser Centre
- Celebrating the International Year of Biodiversity and promoting South Africa's biodiversity research partnerships with Europe, especially within the context of South Africa's new global change science plan
- Strengthening the Global Earth Observation System of Systems in anticipation of the forthcoming Group on Earth Observations Ministerial Summit
- Harnessing sport as the driver for research and innovation, by celebrating South Africa's successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and profiling South Africa as a preferred hub for science and technology investment
- Promoting cooperation between European researchers and South Africa's national research facilities, e.g. access opportunities to research infrastructures and facilities such as the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory, the Karoo Array Telescope (MeerKAT), the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory, iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator-Based Sciences, the National Zoological Gardens, the South African Astronomical Observatory, the South African Environmental Observation Network, and the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity.
Science at the Summit is presented as part of the European South African Science and Technology Advancement Programme (ESASTAP). Full details of the programme, including individual seminar agendas, are available at http://www.esastap.org.za/esastap/scienceatsummit.
Minister Pandor will also have a number of bilateral meetings with senior members of the European Commission, including Ms Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, the European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, as well as the Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for the Digital Agenda, Ms Neelie Kroes.
These meetings will explore the deepening of cooperation in strategic areas of mutual interest. Minister Pandor will also support President Zuma's official visit to Belgium and meet with her Belgian counterpart responsible for science policy, Ms Sabine Laruelle, to discuss bilateral cooperation opportunities.
Enquiries:
Tommy Makhode
Cell: 082 379 8268
