MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

18.2.2008

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure, by

• –Gunnar Hökmark, Pilar del Castillo Vera, Avril Doyle, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
• –Alain Hutchinson, Reino Paasilinna, on behalf of the PSE Group
• –Fiona Hall, on behalf of the ALDE Group
• –Eugenijus Maldeikis, Ryszard Czarnecki, Adam Bielan, on behalf of the UEN Group
• –Umberto Guidoni, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
• –David Hammerstein, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

on the importance of supporting measures to improve international scientific cooperation with Africa

B6‑0078/2008

European Parliament resolution on the importance of supporting measures to improve international scientific cooperation with Africa

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the recent EU-Africa Summit, the EU-Africa Strategic Partnership and the Action Plan (2008-2010),

–  having regard to its resolution on the European Research Area: New Perspectives,

–  having regard of the role of energy technology in the battle against climate change,

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

1.  Acknowledges the increasing trend amongst policy-makers in Africa to prioritise science and technology (S&T) and innovation for development;

2.  Recognises the valuable contribution of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), its S&T consolidated action plan and the S&T programmes of the African Union, and calls for better implementation and fuller development thereof and for the relevant measures to be improved;

3.  Underlines the need to increase the involvement of African scientists in international collaborative science and R&D projects in order to keep and develop R&D knowledge in Africa, in particular in specific sectors such as food, health and energy;

4.  Recalls the special relevance given to neglected diseases within the 7th Research Framework Programme and considers that special emphasis should be placed on research into AIDS in African countries;

5.  Calls for the reinforcement of existing research infrastructure in accordance with the indications of the African Union and the African scientific community, including the NEPAD Office for Science and Technology, programmes of the African Union and R&D projects, in particular in specific sectors such as food, health and energy;

6.  Urges Member States to promote S&T cooperation with Africa that will rapidly secure genuine and comprehensive development of the knowledge and technologies in the African countries themselves;

7.  Notes that scientific progress contributes to the economic and social development envisaged in the Millennium Development Goals; calls in particular on the European Union to place climate change at the forefront of its S&T cooperation with Africa, tapping primarily into the huge renewable energy sources available in Africa, with particular reference to solar energy;

8.  Urges Member States to promote knowledge and technology transfer between the EU and Africa;

9.  Calls on the European Union and the Member States to ensure greater consistency between the EU's international science and technology policy and the basic needs of African countries, thus leading to the development of a new global framework for science and diplomacy with Africa;

10.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Member State parliaments and the United Nations.