Strengthening AU–EU Research Cooperation in Brussels: UniPID Contribute to the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology, and Innovation

UniPID joined AU–EU partners in Brussels to advance collaboration in research and innovation. From food security to sustainable energy, the week showcased shared efforts to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and renew Africa–Europe partnerships.

Last week, the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) convened the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) of the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology, and Innovation (HLPD-STI) in Brussels. The SOM week gathered policymakers, researchers, industry and institutional representatives to advance joint research and innovation (R&I) priorities — from food systems and sustainable agriculture to climate, energy, and innovations and technologies science diplomacy.

As Finland’s national network supporting global responsibility in higher education and research, UniPID plays an active role in strengthening AU–EU science cooperation. Currently, UniPID´s contributions to AU–EU cooperation are anchored in two flagship projects: CEA-FIRST and LEAP-RE, funded under the Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe frameworks

Advancing Food and Nutrition Security through CEA-FIRST

During the AU–EU Senior Officials’ Meeting week, UniPID contributed to organising a Funders' working group meeting as part of the CEA-FIRST consortium for the international research consortium on food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture. Related to CEA-FIRST project, UniPID also collaborated with AfroFOODlinks in organising a joint side event to AU-EU senior officials' meeting on the role of EU-AU R&I strategies in contributing to Africa’s food future bringing insights from the CEA-FIRST and AfriFOODlinks projects.

- Together with the AfriFOODlinks project, we co-hosted a one-day event exploring how AU–EU cooperation can strengthen evidence-based policymaking. Through this event, we are contributing to the transition toward a renewed Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) Roadmap for 2027–2036, says Antti Autio, Work Package Leader in the CEA-FIRST project.

The CEA-FIRST project supports the implementation of the AU–EU International Research Consortium (IRC) on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) — a long-term coordination mechanism aligning African and European research and funding priorities.

According to Autio, IRC has been created to operationalize the FNSSA Roadmap and overcome fragmentation by acting as a “network of networks” that facilitates research, education, advisory services, policy, industry, and funding.

LEAP-RE: A Milestone and a New Chapter Ahead

The SOM week served also as an important milestone in the LEAP-RE collaboration. UniPID took part in the LEAP-RE Final Stakeholder Event and, as Work Package Lead together with the African Energy Services Group, organized two clustering sessions on energy modelling and the water–food–energy nexus. This event marked the last Annual Event of the LEAP-RE collaboration on renewable energy. Beginning next year, the initiative will transition to LEAP-SE, the Long-Term Joint Research and Innovation Partnership on Sustainable Energy between the European Union and the African Union.

The session was opened by Alexandro Mattia from CINEA, the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency of the European Commission who highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration between various renewable energy initiatives under the LEAP-RE clustering. He compared clusters to laboratories operating not only at local but at global level combining the scientific work to the strategic objectives of the EU Green Deal and the African Union and considered the work highly rewarding both for the researchers and for the European Commission.

A Week of Dialogue Culminates in Innovation and Partnership

The SOM week concluded with the Innovation Fair 2025 in Brussels on 23 October 2025.
Organised by the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), this unique event brought together innovators, investors, researchers, and policymakers to explore how we can co-create impactful solutions for the future.

Under the theme “Enabling That Step Forward,” the Fair provided an inspiring platform to exchange ideas, discover innovative projects, and strengthen collaboration for innovation and sustainability.

In addition, the week featured the Senior Officials’ Meeting, where Antti Autio from UniPID presented the AU–EU R&I Partnership on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) together with Dr. Irene Annor-Frempong from the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Ghana. Their presentation took place under the session “Achievements under the AU–EU High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation.”

Looking Ahead

The week highlighted concrete progress in AU–EU collaboration. It showcased achievements from initiatives such as CEA-FIRST, LEAP-RE, and the upcoming LEAP-SE, and focused on measurable outcomes in food systems, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy. UniPID will continue supporting these initiatives, helping to coordinate research, facilitate knowledge sharing, and ensure that joint efforts translate into tangible results on the ground.