Second New Zealand - European Union JSTCC Meeting

Second New Zealand – European Union Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee Meeting

JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ
Ministry of Research, Science and Technology;
European Commission science delegation
Wellington, 11 June 2010

The second Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee (JSTCC) meeting between the European Union (EU) and New Zealand was hosted by New Zealand’s Ministry of Research, Science and Technology (MoRST) in Wellington on 10-11 June 2010.

The European delegation comprised of representatives of the European Commission Directorates General for Research; Information Society and Media; and Education and Culture, as well as representatives of European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST). The New Zealand delegation was led by MoRST and included the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, representatives of New Zealand’s science funding agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as representatives from the Royal Society of New Zealand, research organisations and universities.

The second JSTCC meeting was a two-day programme focussing on enhancing cooperation. It involved a policy discussion about the importance of international collaboration to achieve innovation, and innovation’s role in increasing economic growth. The meeting reviewed the strong existing cooperation and identified new ways of deepening and broadening this cooperation in areas of mutual benefit.

The formal JSTCC officials’ meeting on 11 June was preceded by seven thematically focussed workshops on 10 June. Actions were identified and provided the basis for an updated Science and Technology Cooperation Roadmap.

Both delegations reaffirmed the importance of science and innovation ties, and confirmed they will continue working together to strengthen the relationship. The next JSTCC meeting will be held in Brussels in 2011.

ENDS

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