Scientific and technological cooperation (STC)

With the scientific and technical cooperation (STC), scientific questions posed by the “Research for Sustainable Development (FONA)” programme are addressed by means of bilateral projects in marine research and geosciences. This will generally be coordinated by a steering committee composed of representatives of the participating ministry from each country.

The key objectives of this scientific and technical cooperation include participation in an international research programme for solving global problems, the development and improvement of bilateral relationships, and access to areas of interest for the purpose of conducting research. The cooperation also aims to promote political stabilisation and development aid, as well as the export of technology and market development, especially for small to medium-sized businesses.

Scientific and technical cooperation relevant to coastal, marine and polar research and the geosciences is concentrated in the following countries:

• China
• Indonesia
• Israel
• Russia
• Countries of Southern Africa
• United Kingdom