Delegations from South Africa and the Czech Republic discuss cooperation in science, technology and innovation.
South Africa continues to look to international countries for potential cooperation on science, technology and innovation (STI) and is currently working with the Czech Republic.
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) said SA and the Czech Republic are in the process of concluding an intergovernmental agreement on science and technology.
According to DSI, the agreement is currently under consideration and the parties are expected to seek an opportunity to sign it in the second half of 2024.
STI cooperation was highlighted this week when Czech Republic Deputy Foreign Minister Jiří Kozak visited SA.
Mr. Kozak was visiting Japan to hold bilateral political consultations with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). During this time, he visited his CSIR and investigated possible areas of cooperation with the SA.
DSI said the visit laid the foundations for future discussions on STI between the two countries, adding that SA and the Czech Republic have a long history of political cooperation under the South Africa-Czech Bilateral Political Consultation led by DIRCO. .
“The Science, Technology and Innovation Agreement will build on the foundation laid by this declaration by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Furthermore, South Africa and the Czech Republic share many similarities in terms of research capabilities, and both countries It is believed that there is much we can learn from each other.
“The Czech Republic already has a footprint of research activities carried out in cooperation with South African universities and research institutes. In light of this, the countries recognized the need to establish formal relations through intergovernmental agreements.
“During Deputy Minister Jiří Kozak’s visit, the two parties agreed that they could cooperate on food security, green hydrogen, the Academy of Sciences, hydrogen, nanotechnology, cybersecurity, aerospace, innovation and technology transfer, cooperation under the square, etc. Several strategic areas have been identified: the Kilometer Array Project;
“Both countries recognized the need to prioritize the transfer of knowledge and technology, along with basic and applied research, to support and improve their respective economies.”
Through DSI, SA has identified science, technology and innovation as key to transforming socio-economic conditions and new business prospects.
Additionally, the country has set a target of spending 1.5% of gross domestic product on research and development.
In a collaborative effort, the Foreign Minister's visit was also an opportunity to develop science diplomacy.
Kozak revealed that the Czech government has established a science diplomacy department. International cooperation in research and innovation is an important issue in further enhancing the Czech Republic's unique characteristics.
Through joint initiatives, exchange programs and diplomatic engagement, the two countries could foster diplomatic relations and leverage scientific cooperation as a means to address global challenges, he noted.
Daan du Toit, DSI's Deputy Director for International Cooperation and Resources, commented: To make society better. ”
As part of the STI agreement, SA will host a delegation of Czech start-ups and innovators in November to explore possibilities for cooperation with South African start-ups.
According to DSI, the agreement provides the legal framework to carry out these activities.
“South Africa and the Czech Republic have active economic cooperation based on the Agreement between the Governments of the Republic of South Africa and the Governments of the Czech Republic on Economic Cooperation signed in 2006.
“As part of the provisions of the signed agreement, the two countries will instead host a Joint Economic Committee (JEC) to review cooperation efforts managed within SA by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. It will be SA’s turn to host the next JEC in November.”