EU Science, Technology and Innovation Counsellor at the European Union Delegation to the African Union visited the EAS Headquarters to discuss possible partnerships

September 22, 2023

Dr. Laurent Bochereau, Science, Technology and Innovation Counsellor at the European Union Delegation to the African Union (EEAS-ADDIS ABABA), visited the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS) to explore potential areas of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and partnership building in the realm of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). Blen Adem, Policy Assistant of Delegation of the European Union to the African Union, accompanied Dr. Bochereau during the visit.

During the visit, Dr. Bochereau & Policy Assistant met with Prof. Teketel Yohannes, the Executive Director of EAS, and the staff of the EAS. They engaged in productive discussions regarding the potential partnership and explored various areas of collaboration. Prof. Teketel briefed them about the history, establishment, objectives, and various projects that the Academy has been undertaking.

Dr. Bochereau described during the bilateral discussion the recently adopted AU-EU Innovation Agenda, which will provide many opportunities for stepping up the cooperation between European and African stakeholders in the areas of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. Special emphasis will be placed on the health, climate change and sustainable agriculture. Dr. Bochereau expressed his willingness to collaborate with the Academy in areas of mutual interest such as science communication and youth association capacity building.

In addition to the meetings, the EUDEL team also visited the science exhibits and Botanical Garden at the Academy. He was particularly pleased with EAS’s efforts to popularize science and make it accessible to the wider public.

At the end of the meeting, it was agreed to continue exploring potential collaboration in line with the key objectives of the EAS and the broader EU objectives. Professor Teketel heartily expressed his satisfaction with the fruitful outcome of their conversation, emphasizing how this partnership will enable them to effectively achieve their shared mission.