EU Commission signs Atlantic Ocean Research Cooperation declaration with Brazil and announces a coordinated call on biofuels

Submitted by Lucia Seel on 16 November 2015

Commission signs Atlantic Ocean Research Cooperation declaration with Brazil and announces a coordinated call on biofuels

Rio de Janeiro, 17 November 2015

The European Commission and the Brazilian government are signing today in Rio a joint declaration for Atlantic Ocean Research to enhance marine cooperation between Europe and Brazil. The agreement follows the celebration of the EU-Brazil high level conference which aims to develop common expertise and scientific knowledge on the Atlantic Ocean and its dynamic systems, provide a new momentum for enhancing marine cooperation between Brazil and Europe and discuss how to further engage in joint research projects and improve reciprocal access to infrastructures.

Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, said: "Both Brazil and the EU share common challenges within the Atlantic Ocean. I am certain that today's declaration will advance our future Research and Innovation collaboration and deepen our ties to solve some of the issues that our societies care more about".

During his first official mission to Brazil Commissioner Moedas has also launched a coordinated call on bio-fuels together with FAPESP (the Research Funding Agency of the State of São Paulo),CONFAP (the Council of State Foundations for Research) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. In addition, an open call organised by FAPESP has also been announced; this call will allow funding the participation of researchers from the State of São Paulo in projects successfully selected by Horizon 2020 –the EU's Framework Programme for Research and Innovation–.

While in São Paulo, Commissioner Moedas participated yesterday in the first Destination Europeevent organised in Latin America, which has presented the opportunities offered by the EU and its Member States to Brazilian researchers for carrying out research in Europe.

Background

Research and innovation are essential for a successful, modern economy, and they are at the heart of the European Commission's policies to boost jobs, growth and investment. The EU's research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020, will invest an unprecedented €77 billion in the very best research and innovation. The Commission's vision for research and innovation has three strategic priorities: Open Innovation, Open Science and Openness to the World.

Being Open to the World means removing barriers to international cooperation between researchers and innovators, engaging in science diplomacy and leading international research and innovation partnerships to address global challenges. There is enormous potential for Europe to punch well above its weight and make a real difference though international science and science diplomacy in areas such as energy, health, food and water.

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