Switzerland and Canada expand research partnerships

Switzerland and Canada have committed to deepening what is already a close research cooperation. According to a press release, Guy Parmelin, a member of the Swiss federal government (Federal Councillor), and François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry of Canada, signed a Joint Statement to this end on April 14. This joint declaration has been in place since 2018 and has now been expanded and extended until 2028.

As before, the collaboration focuses on the promotion of cooperative research in all subject areas. For the period 2023 through 2028, issues such as climate, sustainability, life sciences, health, quantum science and technology, as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI) will also all be in the spotlight. Canada is seeking to tackle global challenges by defining these priorities for its international cooperation activities.

Research and development partnerships “that can lead to new discoveries and commercial applications in both countries” are to be supported, according to comments from Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development of Canada, in the press release.

After all, alongside university cooperations, Switzerland and Canada also maintain strong economic ties. In this way, the agreement could potentially “create more opportunities for researchers, innovators and businesses to partner on projects that will shape the economy of the future”, comments François-Philippe Champagne.

According to Guy Parmelin, the partnership is a testament “to the strength of our two countries' relationship and shared values”. The Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) adds that this “demonstrates how much can be achieved when two nations work towards a common goal. ko