The upcoming II AU-EU Ministerial on Research and Innovation (R&I) is scheduled for October 27, 2026, in Addis Ababa. This event aims to assess the achievements of the AU-EU Partnership on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI), particularly in key areas such as Health and the Green Transition. The focus on the Green Transition encompasses Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) and Climate Change and Sustainable Energy (CCSE), which together aim to improve access to sustainable food, energy, and climate adaptation.
Key Highlights
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Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA): This initiative supports joint actions between Africa and Europe to enhance access to nutritious food in both rural and urban areas. It also strives to elevate incomes and promote rural development, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 2 targeting zero hunger.
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Climate Change and Sustainable Energy (CCSE): This partnership emphasizes renewable energy and climate action. Since its establishment, it has funded around €600 million across nearly 90 projects, focusing on increasing resilience and disaster risk reduction.
Achievements
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Research Collaboration: A total of 731 projects have engaged 2,363 participants from 52 African and 27 European countries, involving various stakeholders like public institutions and businesses.
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Sustainable Energy Initiatives: Programs like LEAP-RE and LEAP-SE have mobilized over €50 million to fund projects aimed at local solutions, including off-grid systems and clean cooking.
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Climate Services: Over 70 African organizations have contributed to projects translating climate science into actionable tools for local communities, addressing critical issues like migration and health.
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Upcoming Initiatives: Plans include a joint call in 2025 for climate services in West Africa and a pan-African climate co-fund set to launch in early 2028 with a €30 million investment.
For more details on the ministerial meeting and ongoing initiatives under the AU-EU partnership, visit the links provided in the original text, especially regarding the AfriFOODlinks initiative and the upcoming developments in climate and energy.
