Following the invitation of the Government of Belgium to host the 6th meeting of the joint expert group for the 8th Africa – European Union Strategic Partnership on Science, Information Society and Space, (JEG8),  experts and high officials in the areas of science and technology, information society and space from the African Union Commission (AUC) and the European Commission (EC), will converge  in Brussels, Belgium, on 15 September 2010, at 9:30 am, to access the state of implementation of the eighth partnership (Action Plan II, 2011-2013). The meeting will hold at BELSPO-Avenue Louise 231, 1050 Brussels.

The JEG8 meeting will be followed by a high level political dialogue on space to start at 3:00 pm on 15 September 2010 at Berlaymont, Salle Jean Rey, 200 Rue de la Loi, Brussels. It will focus on the African Space Agency; the Pan-African University Institute on Space Science; and the future of space technologies and applications on the African continent. 

Mr. Jean -Pierre Ezin, Commissioner of Human Resources Science and Technology of the African Union Commission is expected to address both meetings.

Meanwhile,  a high level political meeting on « Space for the African Citizen », is scheduled to take place on 16 September 2010, jointly organised by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Belgian High Representation for Space Policy, European Commission (EC).

The meeting aims to obtain the recognition by the EU and Africa, of the African states’ need for having the necessary abilities to improve their autonomy toward the space technologies and their uses, as well as acknowlege the importance for Europe and Africa to work in patnership to develop these capacities while continuing to build on the existing ones. A press conference will crown the event at 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm., at Palais des Beau Arts, Brussels.

According to Commissioner Ezin, Africa, as a whole continent, is not fully maximizing the benefits from its space as a resource for sustainable development. He pointed out that Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action as a common African platform for STI policy and programmes, underscores the need for Africa to embark on an ambitious African Space Programme that addresses the challenges the continent faces in managing its natural resources and sustain its diversity.

The outcome of this meeting will be submitted to the Africa-Europe Summit billed for November 2010 in Tripoli, Libya, for consideration.

Journalists are invited to cover the meetings and to attend the Press Conference.

For any interview arrangement, kindly contact Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou, Division of Communication and Information of the AUC. Tel. +32488707553
E-mail : yamboue@africa-union.org / esthertankou@yahoo.com