Fernando Clavijo highlights the archipelago's strategic contribution to Europe and Migdalia Machín emphasizes the opportunities that international cooperation opens up for Canarian science and innovation
The Government of the Canary Islands reinforced the archipelago's projection in the field of maritime innovation this Thursday in Brussels during a new edition of DiploInnova Canarias, which brought together European institutions, research centers, universities, companies, and organizations to foster new avenues of cooperation around the blue economy.
The event showcased the capabilities developed on the islands to agents specialized in marine research, oceanic observation, renewable energies and hydrogen, maritime industry, port activity, fishing, and aquaculture. The meeting also allowed for addressing the possibilities of participation in future European programs and initiatives.
The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, who intervened remotely, highlighted that the archipelago's privileged geographical position and its experience linked to the ocean allow it to make a unique contribution to the European Union's priorities. "From the Atlantic, the Canary Islands can contribute to a more competitive Europe with a greater capacity to develop solutions in strategic areas. We have the conditions and the knowledge to assume that role, and we want that contribution to translate into projects and investment."
Clavijo linked this aspiration to the new European approach to ultra-peripheral regions, which recognizes their value in areas such as competitiveness, strategic autonomy, energy transition, research, and the blue economy. For the president, this recognition opens a scenario that the Canary Islands must take advantage of to increase its participation in European policies in the coming years.
The Minister of Universities, Science and Innovation and Culture, Migdalia Machín, focused her assessment on the possibilities that the meeting offers to the Canarian research and innovation system. "The internationalization of our science involves facilitating access for our centers, researchers, and companies to networks where they can find partners, funding, and opportunities to develop their projects. Being in Brussels allows us to bring that knowledge closer to the spaces where many of these initiatives are articulated."
Machín pointed out that this external projection is especially relevant for a territory that has specialized scientific and technological infrastructures and a business fabric that works in areas directly related to European priorities. The objective, he explained, is to favor a greater presence of Canarian agents in international consortia and initiatives and to expand the possibilities for transferring the knowledge generated in the islands.
An ecosystem specialized in the ocean
The Canarian representation brought together the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands, the Technological Institute of the Canary Islands, the Maritime Cluster of the Canary Islands, the Canary Association of Startups, the Canary Society for Economic Development, and companies and initiatives linked to blue technology and economy.
Among the strengths presented during the day are oceanic observation, marine renewable energies, robotics and autonomous systems, connectivity, and digital technologies. Added to these is the possibility of developing and validating solutions directly in the oceanic environment, a characteristic that makes the archipelago a particularly suitable space for research and innovation linked to the sea.
DiploInnova Canarias is part of the scientific diplomacy program promoted by the Government of the Canary Islands to increase the international presence of the archipelago's science, technology, and innovation. The initiative connects diplomatic missions, international organizations, scientific institutions, and innovative agents with the purpose of facilitating cooperation and access to new opportunities.
Add La Voz de Lanzarote as a preferred Google source.
Stay informed with the latest current news.