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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:

3. Forms of Collaboration

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

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:

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

9. Status

This Joint Statement is not legally binding.

10. Final Dispositions

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:

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