WELLINGTON, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission and New Zealand's government have concluded the negotiations for the association of New Zealand to the Horizon Europe program in Wellington, which further enhances the bilateral scientific cooperation, the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment announced on Wednesday.
Horizon Europe is the European Union's (EU) key funding program for research and innovation with a budget of 95.5 billion euros (101.45 billion U.S. dollars). Tackling climate change, it helps achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU's competitiveness and growth.
The signing of the association agreement is expected to take place in 2023, pending the completion of all necessary validations on both sides.
From 2023, researchers and organizations in New Zealand will be able to participate in Pillar II of the Horizon Europe program, which is primarily focused on shared global challenges in climate, energy and mobility, digital, industry and space, health, and more. ■
