According to an early concept note, the workshop’s objectives are:

• Exchange lessons learned, information and ideas on the mechanisms and options for the RECs to engage in Africa-EU cooperation in STI.
• Explore potential synergies and/or areas of collaboration between RECs, in Horizon 2020 and the activities of National Contact Points, with the Coordination and Support Actions, and furthermore with the national science academies and their networks (IAB, NASAC and EASAC).
• Facilitate dialogue between RECs and ERAfrica on co-funded opportunities with the aim of informing the STISA 2024 implementation process.
• Discuss further participation in future joint bi-regional cooperation networks and projects and the strategies for the uptake of research.

Expected participants include representatives from the African Union Commission (AUC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD).

The convening is being co-organised by South Africa’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Project Management Agency of the German Aerospace Center (PT-DLR).

For more information contact Mr Stefan A. Haffner at stefan.haffner[at]dlr.de.