FCT hosted the 5+5 Dialogue on Research, Innovation, and Higher Education meeting

The first face-to-face meeting of the Group of Senior Officials (GSO) of the 5+5 Dialogue on Research, Innovation, and Higher Education, under the presidency of Portugal and vice-presidency of Mauritania, took place in Lisbon, at the FCT premises, on May 25 and 26, 2023.

This meeting contributed very positively to the implementation of the seven actions of the 2023-2024 work plan, as attested by the delegates from the member countries—Algeria, France, Libya, Italy, Mauritania, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Tunisia, and Spain.

The commitments were made by all countries in an atmosphere of close cooperation and collaboration, with future meetings, workshops, and seminars planned with the aim of creating networks between research, innovation, and higher education institutions and all actors in their respective national systems.

The meeting also saw the active participation of the European Commission and the Union for the Mediterranean, providing political support for this Dialogue and the implementation of actions.

During Portugal's presidency, which will continue until fall 2024, the GSO has already met virtually on January 26 and 27, and informally on April 28, with the aim of advancing the implementation of the Nouakhott Declaration, issued at the 5th Ministerial Conference in October 2022 in Mauritania.