France Science and Technology Cooperation

Joint Statement on U.S. - France Science and Technology Cooperation

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
April 2, 2015

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Ms. Anne Grillo, Director of Cultural, Academic and Research Cooperation at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Directorate-General of Global Affairs, Development and Partnerships, and Ms. Marianne de Brunhoff, Director of European and International Affairs of the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research for the Government of France, and Ms. Anne Hall, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental, and Scientific Affairs, and Ms. Jennifer Haskell, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Cooperation, U.S. Department of State, convened the fourth United States - France Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) on Science and Technology Cooperation in Washington, D.C., on March 31, 2015. The JCM provides a regular opportunity to exchange views on some of the most important science and technology endeavors in our countries and to prioritize future collaboration.

The JCM brought together representatives from government agencies and research organizations in both countries to discuss environmental science and climate change, health research, high energy physics, and innovation. Both sides endorsed continued research cooperation, including initiatives to enhance cooperation in low carbon energy technologies, oceans and marine protected areas, non-communicable diseases, anti-microbial resistance, environmental health, and high energy physics. The group also shared information on successful innovation programs including the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) I-Corps Program, the U.S. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, the Department of State’s Global Innovation through Science and Technology Initiative, the French Tech Initiative, and France’s New Technology Venture Accelerator (NETVA) and the Young Enterprise initiative (YEi)-Start in France programs. Following the discussions on thematic topics, the two sides emphasized the importance of expanding the JCM dialogue to include participants from universities, research organizations, research agencies, think tanks, and the private sector. Both sides look forward to working together towards a successful outcome in the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change 21st Conference of the Parties, COP21, which will be held in Paris in December 2015.

ENDS

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