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 collaboration in the fields of science, technology, and innovation ("STI");
Recognizing that STI 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;
Building upon the success of the 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, which was signed in Davos on January 25, 2018, and which encouraged closer collaboration between several Canadian and Swiss funding agencies for research and innovation;
Acknowledging that while Canadian‑Swiss STI relations are strong and diversified, with extensive engagement from various stakeholders, there is significant untapped potential, for instance in areas of 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 innovation 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 ("Joint Statement") is for the Participants to enhance collaboration between their respective government bodies, academia, and industries. In particular, the Participants aim to collaborate on 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, but also through collaboration in priority sectors.
2. Objectives
The objectives of this Joint Statement are to:
- (i) encourage the sharing of best practices between the innovation ecosystems of Canada and Switzerland, at the governmental, institutional, academic and industry levels;
- (ii) facilitate increased access to technologies, markets and talent;
- (iii) facilitate advanced research and development collaborations between Canadian and Swiss centers of excellence, commercialization hubs and industry in areas of mutual interest;
- (iv) 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;
- (v) support efforts to integrate stakeholders from Canada and Switzerland into global value chain and research projects, and to foster matchmaking at selected events and initiatives.
3. Forms of Collaboration
The Participants understand that initiatives under this Joint Statement may include:
- (i) the exchange of information related to STI and education, including on practices, policies, laws, and regulations;
- (ii) joint seminars, symposia, conferences and workshops;
- (iii) business development, technology partnering missions, matchmaking initiatives and the sharing of leads and opportunities;
- (iv) collaborative research and development projects, including projects under the EUREKA Network including Eurostars, Clusters and network projects;
- (v) mobility initiatives such as the exchange of researchers and academics; and
- (vi) any other initiatives, mutually decided by the Participants and falling within the competences of the Participants and the autonomous bodies and institutions, that aim to achieve the Purpose of this Joint Statement.
4. Pursuing Initiatives
The Participants intend that collaboration in the areas of STI under this Joint Statement takes place within the framework of their respective national legislation.
5. Priority Sectors for Collaboration
The Participants are expected to encourage collaboration in all sectors and areas of STI. The Participants may particularly encourage collaboration on certain priority sectors that they consider to be strategically important from a scientific or economic perspective. The priority sectors for 2023‑2028 are listed in Annex A. The Participants may revisit the sectors in Annex A every five years as needed.
6. Intellectual Property
If any intellectual property matters arise either:
- (i) from the application of this Joint Statement; or
- (ii) from the activities under this Joint Statement; or
- (iii) prior to participating in the activities under this Joint Statement,
the Participants are expected to consider these matters pursuant to their respective national laws and address them in a separate appropriate instrument. Such instruments could include non‑disclosure agreements, license agreements, collaborative research agreements, or other contracts in order to safeguard the ownership rights and govern usage of intellectual property.
7. Implementation
The Participants understand that initiatives under this Joint Statement should be developed and carried out by the various stakeholders and not by the Participants themselves.
8. Funding
- (a) 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.
- (b) The Participants understand that this Joint Statement does not commit them to financially supporting initiatives carried out under this Joint Statement.
9. Status
This Joint Statement is not legally binding.
10. Final Dispositions
- (a) This Joint Statement is intended to replace the 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, which was signed in Davos on January 25, 2018.
- (b) This Joint Statement will take effect on the date of its last signature by the Participants.
- (c) The Participants may amend or terminate this Joint Statement upon their mutual written consent.
- (d) A Participant may terminate this Joint Statement by giving a written notice to the other Participant.
Signed in duplicate at __________, on this __________ day of ___________ 202__, in the English and French languages, each version being equally valid.
For the Department of Foreign Affairs,
Trade and Development of Canada
__________________________________
For the Federal Department of Economic Affairs,
Education and Research of the Swiss Confederation
__________________________________
Annex A – Priority Sectors for Collaboration 2023 ‑ 2028
Research and innovation collaboration is to be encouraged across all areas.
Sectors with a particular focus are:
- Climate and Sustainability
- Life Sciences and Health
- Quantum Science and Technology
- Artificial Intelligence
