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AGREEMENT ON SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA AND THE FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL
The Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, Dr Ben Ngubane, will sign a science and technology co-operation agreement with the Brazilian Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Roberto Amaral, in Pretoria, on 8 November 2003.
The signing marks the first official State Visit by the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil to South Africa, President Lula da Silva. Both countries face similar challenges such as poverty reduction, access to running water, the scourge of HIV/AIDS, promoting the emancipation of women, etc. This cooperation will act as a tool to mobilise resources to address the challenges and to address development issues through science and technology in countries of the South. It should also lay a solid foundation upon which to build South-South cooperation and to actualise the establishment of the working groups and identification of projects for the India-Brazil-South Africa Forum.
The Agreement with Brazil will be utilised not only to obtain a commitment for the continuation of cooperative support for projects in the field of science and technology, but also to redirect the focus of Brazil/South African relations towards the future and in support of the objectives of New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and Southern African Development Community (SADC), energies the current investment climate in Brazil and reaffirm South Africa's position as a reliable investment destination, as well as to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two countries. Brazil is an important member of the Latin American countries, and as such will be a valuable partner in attracting support for science and technology programmes with other Mercosur countries.
Further cooperation agreements between role players in the scientific and technological systems in both countries may be entered into by such role players and will generate specific programmes and projects of science and technology cooperation. Such cooperative ventures will enhance growth in the innovation systems of both countries.
Contact: Moeketsi Modisenyane
Deputy-Director: Bilateral Cooperation
Department of Science and Technology
Tel: 012 337 8146
Cell: 082 8020 399
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
7 November 2003