Spanish presidency news: science diplomacy and energy from the stars
Fri Aug 11 13:16:10 CEST 2023
On 27 and 28 July, Member States' research and innovation ministers met informally in Santander, Spain. One of the important topics was a common European science diplomacy, which will be discussed at a formal conference in Madrid on 18-19 December - the way of registration and the program are not yet known.
Science diplomacy
The first working session in Santander the ministers discussed how to support the objectives of traditional science diplomacy, such as achieving greater impact of science in external affairs through closer cooperation between science and diplomacy. The key idea is that united and effective science diplomacy can support the achievement of a more autonomous and self-sufficient Europe.
Diana Morant, Spanish Minister for Science and Innovation, said that science diplomacy is also important for the green and digital transitions in the spirit of Europe's values of sustainability and social justice.
Ministers also agreed in Santander on the need to strengthen the impact of EU missions and European partnerships, not only thematically but also through the pooling of financial resources, i.e. synergistically.
A recording of the entire meeting is available here.
The energy of the stars and the Sun
A novelty presented by Spain in Santander is the pioneering IFMIF-DONES project to obtain green energy through the fusion of the energy of the Sun and the stars. The project will "test, validate and qualify materials for use in future fusion power plants in one place. Inside IFMIF-DONES will be a unique particle accelerator and other complex technological systems, such as the largest lithium circuit (loop) ever built, and material irradiation systems." It will be located in Escúzar (province of Granada) and is an investment of EUR 862.4 million.
Sources: EU ministers boost research for a more autonomous, self-sufficient Europe (europa.eu) a EU Science Diplomacy is high on the Agenda of the Spanish Presidency – www.science-diplomacy.eu
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