European Commission adopted a Communication on its Global Approach to Research and Innovation

On 18 May 2021 European Commission adopted a Communication on its Global Approach to Research and Innovation, with aim to intensify its international co-operation in this field, to underpin the international dimension of Horizon Europe, to reinforce its leading role and to act as a united voice. This new strategy responds to the current global situation and current political priorities and replaces the previous EU strategy from 2012.

The new strategy aims to broaden partnerships at the multilateral level and to rebalance its international cooperation with more reciprocity and ensuring a level playing field, openness, the respecting of fundamental rights and shared values. The objective is also to develop common principles on research and innovation (e.g. research ethics, gender equality), to strengthen the partnership with Africa, as well as to deliver innovative solutions to global challenges, such as climate change or pandemics, and to achieve an ecological and digital transformation. The new global approach also addresses the issue of financing − The ‘Team Europe' approach should be applied, meaning combining the resources from the EU, its Member States, and the European financial institutions to achieve greater impact.

More information is available in the press release of European Commission, in the Questions and Answers: The Global Approach to R&I or in the document Global approach to research and innovation published by Publication office of the EU.