Joint Statement concerning Science, Technology and Innovation between the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada and the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research of the Swiss Confederation

The Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada and the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research of the Swiss Confederation, hereinafter referred to as “the Participants”,

Wishing to strengthen bilateral co-operation in the fields of science, technology, and innovation (“STI”);

Recognizing that science, technology and innovation are fundamental to economic growth, and competitiveness in global markets, as well as to the benefit of society in general, and that Canada and Switzerland are global leaders in scientific research;

Acknowledging that while Canadian-Swiss STI relations are strong and diversified, with an extensive engagement from the various stakeholders, there is significant untapped potential, for instance in areas such as life sciences, sustainability, clean technologies and renewable energy, information and communication technologies, the Arctic, and advanced manufacturing;

Understanding that strengthening STI ties between Canada and Switzerland will mutually reinforce their respective ecosystems;

Aspiring to develop and strengthen partnerships that ensure both countries’ access to leading technologies and scientific advances;

Have come to the following understanding:

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Joint Statement on Science, Technology and Innovation (the “Joint Statement”) is for the Participants to enhance collaboration between their respective government bodies, knowledge-based institutions, intermediary organizations, and industry in science, technology, research, innovation, and education on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual gain, in full respect of the autonomy of education and research institutions and other players – following a bottom-up approach.

2. Objectives

The objectives of this Joint Statement are to:

encourage the sharing of best practices between the innovation ecosystems of both countries, at governmental, institutional, academical and industrial levels;
facilitate increased access to technology, market and talent;
facilitate advanced research and development collaborations between centers of excellence, commercialization hubs and industry in areas of mutual interest;
build linkages between scientific projects, market-oriented networks and innovation agencies to explore how best to support innovation and foster partnerships between academia, government institutions, and industry with a view to converting advanced research into commercial applications;
support efforts to integrate stakeholders from both countries into global value chain and research projects, and to foster matchmaking at selected events and initiatives.

3. Forms of Co-operation

The Participants understand that initiatives under this Joint Statement may include:

the exchange of information related to science, technology, innovation and education, including on practices, policies, laws, and other regulations;
joint seminars, symposia, conferences and workshops;
business development, technology partnering missions, matchmaking initiatives and the sharing of leads and opportunities;
collaborative research and development projects, including projects under the EUREKA Network including Eurostars, Clusters and network projects;
mobility initiatives such as the exchange of researchers and academics;
any other initiative, mutually decided by the Participants and falling within the competences of the Participants and the autonomous bodies and institutions, that aim at reaching the Purpose of this Joint Statement.

4. Pursuing Initiatives

The Participants intend that co-operation in the areas of education, research and innovation under this Joint Statement takes place within the framework of their respective national legislation.

5. Intellectual Property

If there are intellectual property rights arising from the application of this Joint Statement, they are granted and protected pursuant to the participants’ national laws and international obligations.

6. Implementation

The Participants understand that initiatives under this Joint Statement will be developed and carried out by the various stakeholders and not by the Participants themselves.

7. Funding

The Participants understand that initiatives under this Joint Statement are subject to the interest of the respective stakeholders and the availability of their respective resources.
The Participants understand that the Joint Statement is not committing them to financially support initiatives carried out under this Joint Statement.

8. Status

This Joint Statement is not legally binding.

9. Final Dispositions

This Joint Statement will take effect on the date of its last signature by the Participants.
The Participants may amend this Joint Statement upon their mutual written consent.
A Participant may terminate this Joint Statement by giving written notice to the other Participant.

Signed in duplicate at _____ , on this _____ day of _________ 2018, in the English and French languages, each version being equally valid.

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For the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada