2017-07-19
The purpose of the statement is to integrate research activities among the Atlantic Ocean countries to improve and deepen scientific knowledge related to marine ecosystems; the relationship between oceans and climate change; the production of food coming from the sea; and on energy systems coming from the oceans. The cooperation also seeks to understand the dynamics of the Atlantic Ocean with the Circulation Systems interconnected with the Arctic and the Antarctica.
Gilberto Kassab, the Minister of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications of Brazil; Carlos Moedas, the European Union Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation and Naledi Pandor, the Minister of Science and Technology of South Africa participated in the 3-day event, together with other political leaders, representatives of development agencies, research institutions, the private sector, and European, Brazilian and South African stakeholders of the marine sciences.
It is important to note that Brazil's participation in this cooperation is also supported by the Sector Dialogues. According to Andrei Polejack, general coordinator of Oceans, the Antarctica and Geosciences of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications of Brazil, the presence of the Sector Dialogues in the event "A New Era of Blue Enlightenment" was fundamental. "It is a magnificent tool because it offers the flexibility to celebrate technical missions, to participate in political events such as this one. It also allows the exchange of experiences and technologies, which is what underlies all the political dialogues we had here. Without the support of the Sector Dialogues, none of this would be possible", he said.
Research in the South and Tropical Atlantic - The Belém Statement should build bilateral objectives, named as ‘Declaration of Intent on Marine Research and Cooperation in Innovation with Brazil and South Africa’, and the development of the South-South Context for Technical and Scientific Cooperation in the South, Tropical and Austral Atlantic. The scientific plan was together built by Brazil and South Africa, focused on deepening cooperation in the South and Tropical Atlantic, as well as in other southern oceans. The document highlights the importance of the ocean to the economies and societies of both countries, given the marine influence on climate and, consequently, on agriculture, mining, fishing, aquaculture, transportation and tourism.
During the event, Andrei Polejack cited Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, president of Portugal, who, at the time of signing the Belém Statement, said that Brazil, the European Union and South Africa are three world scientific powers. "They are three world powers who have come together to understand how the Atlantic works and how it influences our lives. This was a milestone in international cooperation for the social sciences", he said.
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