Egypt and the European Union inaugurated the “Egypt–EU Research and Innovation Week” on Sunday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their science and technology cooperation agreement, with senior ministers and EU officials highlighting the role of research partnerships in addressing global challenges.
Egypt’s Health Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said the country’s recent experience demonstrates that investing in human capital through education, health, and skills development is the foundation of national progress. He highlighted the impact of EU programmes such as Horizon Europe, PRIMA, Erasmus+, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) in supporting Egyptian researchers and integrating them into global knowledge networks.
Abdel Ghaffar noted that accelerating challenges in public health, energy, climate change, and artificial intelligence make strengthened research and innovation systems a national priority. He added that Egypt is working to ensure that scientific output translates into practical solutions that improve public services.
The week-long event features thematic sessions, proposal-writing workshops, and field visits designed to deepen cooperation between Egyptian and European universities and research institutions.
Planning Minister Rania Al-Mashat said the 20-year milestone reflects the sustainability and effectiveness of the cooperation framework, noting that the recent EU–Egypt summit in Brussels, attended by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, gave new momentum to strategic ties.
Higher Education Minister Ayman Ashour highlighted Egypt’s participation in over 300 EU-funded research and innovation projects over the past two decades, particularly in health, climate, water, and clean energy. He noted that Egypt has taken part in 92 PRIMA projects since 2018, securing more than €17m in funding.
Electricity Minister Mahmoud Esmat said Egypt’s formal association with Horizon Europe strengthens its position as an emerging regional hub for energy and innovation. He highlighted the country’s progress in solar and wind power, smart grids, and energy storage, reaffirming Egypt’s target of generating 42% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
EU Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst described scientific cooperation between Egypt and the EU as a “model partnership” built on innovation and excellence, enabling joint advances in renewable energy, water, agriculture, health, and climate research.
