SA, EU discuss science initiatives
Nthambeleni Gabara
6 May 2008
South African will host a European Union (EU) delegation in Pretoria on Tuesday to discuss targeted initiatives in science and technology.
According to the Department of Science and Technology, the meeting falls under the Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee, established in 1998 to further collaboration between SA and the EU.
Scientists from the EU and South Africa are jointly engaged in exploring "new and emerging scientific and technological areas and needs, seeking to resolve major global issues" such as climate change, energy and HIV/Aids, the department said in a statement.
South African researchers have participated in more than 200 Framework Programme projects and other EU-related programmes.
These include a project involving SA's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research which aims to demonstrate that solar disinfection of drinking water is effective in eliminating waterborne diseases.
The committee is expected to agree on several new initiatives to promote co-operation in areas including poverty-related communicable diseases, food, agriculture, fisheries and biotechnology, and climate change and sustainable development.
SA and the EU will also cooperate closely in supporting the implementation of the Science, Information and Space Partnership of the Joint Africa-EU strategy, adopted during the Africa-EU Summit held in Lisbon, Portugal in 2007.
Source: BuaNews
