2017-07-11
Atlântico Sul
Authorities from the European Union (EU), Brazil and South Africa will meet from 12-14 July in Lisbon (Portugal) during the "A New Era of Blue Enlightenment" event to celebrate the launch of the South Atlantic Flagship Initiative.
The idea is to reinforce mutual cooperation objectives related to the protection of marine ecosystems and the links between oceans and climate. The participation of Brazil, which has obtained the support of the Sector Dialogues Facility, will contribute to the exchange of information and experiences on Marine Research, based on priorities jointly defined, thus in opening to a wider cooperation within future joint collaborative research projects focused on the Atlantic.
During the event, the Belém Statement on Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Cooperation will be signed by Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner; Gilberto Kassab, Minister of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications of Brazil (MCTIC); and Naledi Pandor, Minister of Science and Technology of South Africa.
According to the General Coordinator of Oceans, Antarctic and Geosciences of the MCTIC, Andrei Polejack, this tripartite agreement was a very important step for the countries involved, because it helps expanding knowledge in the field of South Atlantic Research, which had not been deeply researched until now. "This alliance will treat the whole ocean as a single sea basin, in order to better understand its functioning. It will unite the actions of the South-South cooperation, leaving a legacy to the issue of the sustainability of the Ocean”, he explains.
The event will also bring together political leaders, research institutions, development agencies, the private sector and other stakeholders related to marine sciences from Europe, Brazil and South Africa, who will participate in plenary sessions, panel discussions and a showcase of projects funded by the EU and national initiatives focused on the Atlantic Ocean.
During three days, the following themes will be discussed: climate and ecosystem approaches, earth and ocean observation and forecasting systems, food security, fisheries management and aquaculture, ocean technology and polar research, especially the interconnections between the Atlantic and Antarctica. Furthermore, Brazil and South Africa will also present an agenda of scientific priorities for the South Atlantic.
In addition to representatives from the MCTIC, the Brazilian delegation will be composed by 15 researchers from universities and research institutes and participants from development agencies. According to Polejack, this event is important because it will join forces from the great scientific nations of the South Atlantic to generate knowledge and exchange experiences.
Research Collaboration in the South and Tropical Atlantic - Brazil, in October 2015, and South Africa, in October 2016, together with the European Union, signed the bilateral Declarations of intent on Marine Research and Innovation Cooperation. From there, the process of defining an agenda for collaboration in scientific research in the South and Tropical Atlantic began. The idea is to improve the mechanisms of cooperation in oceanic research. The partnership also comprises the exchange of researchers and technicians between universities and research institutes in Brazil and the EU.
Sector Dialogues – They are a strategic instrument for strengthening cooperation between the EU and Brazil. Currently, there are about 30 dialogues mapped between Brazil and the EU on the most diverse themes, and aim at the exchange of knowledge and experiences in areas of mutual interest. Currently, the Facility is in the 9th Call of the fourth phase. Launched in May 2008, the instrument discusses several themes that are based on principles of reciprocity and complementarity. The Sector Dialogues Support Facility is jointly managed by the Secretariat of Management of the Ministry of Planning (MP), through the Direção Nacional da Iniciativa (DN), the Delegation of European Union to Brazil (DELBRA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE).
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