Belém Statement on Atlantic Research and Innovative Cooperation Conference in Lisbon on 13-14 July 2017

"The European Union will further boost its research and innovation cooperation with its strategic partners Brazil and South Africa in order to better understand marine ecosystems and climate. The three sides launched the South Atlantic Research and Innovation Flagship Initiative and signed the Belém Statement on Atlantic Research and Innovative Cooperation Conference in Lisbon on 13-14 July 2017.

The statement was signed in Lisbon's historic Belém Tower by Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, Gilberto Kassab, Minister of State for Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications of Brazil and Naledi Pandor, Minister of Science and Technology of South Africa, during a High-Level Ministerial and Scientific event.

Commissioner Moedas said: "The Belém agreement is science diplomacy in action. It moves our cooperation with Brazil and South Africa up a gear, enabling us to better coordinate our research agendas and to make best use of our research and innovation funding. We will be better prepared to exploit the value of the 'blue economy' of the Atlantic Ocean for our citizens. With this agreement, we enter a new era of Blue Enlightenment."