By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
At the G7 Science and Technology Ministerial in Italy, the UK Science Minister declared the nation's science and technology sector "open for business." This Ministerial meeting supported the government's mission to boost innovation, investment, and productivity through world class research in science and technology across the economy.
The UK committed to enhancing research security and collaborating on large scale research infrastructure, biotechnology, and key technologies such as AI, supported by supercomputing, alongside international partners.
Strengthening International Partnerships
Representatives from the world's leading economies reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's scientists amid Russia's illegal invasion and committed to collaborating with African countries on R&D to aid their economic development. This initiative is part of the UK's strategy to strengthen international ties, re establish its reputation as a dependable partner, and leverage science and technology for global benefit.
The commitments made in Bologna aim to enhance collaboration with international partners and accelerate investments in advanced technologies, fostering the creation of future jobs.
Driving UK Innovation
Science Minister Vallance emphasized the importance of open and accessible data and the pooling of resources to develop advanced long term research infrastructure. He also stressed the solidarity and support for researchers under threat.
The Minister highlighted the UK's consideration of hosting a new international research facility to drive innovation through global collaboration in science and technology. The Ministerial underscored the significance of biotechnology to the future global economy, particularly as AI advances and transforms the field.
The UK is working closely with other G7 members on computing capacity, as demonstrated by the UK's recent access to European supercomputing resources through the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking.
Managing Security Threats
The G7's focus on research security is crucial for sustained economic growth, which improves prosperity and living standards. However, with increasing global volatility, threats to the research community are also growing. The evolving risks of theft, misuse, and exploitation of sensitive research necessitate that G7 allies set a global agenda for proportionate management of these threats.
The deep science and technology connections between the UK and this year's G7 host, Italy, illustrate the longstanding international partnerships the UK aims to reinvigorate for a decade of national renewal. UK and Italian scientists collaborate through the European Space Agency, Horizon Europe, and the Square Kilometre Array space telescope project. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the partnership between the UK's Science and Technology Facilities Counciland Italy's Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche in pioneering neutron research.
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