UKRI is engaging in top-level, strategic conversations between some of the world’s best research and innovation organisations to better prepare humanity for future pandemics.
A trilateral statement of intent
A recent joint statement by the chief science advisors of the Republic of Ireland, the UK and US has paved the way for a new trilateral agreement on pandemic preparedness.
An excerpt from the statement reads:
Science Foundation Ireland, UKRI and the US National Science Foundation look forward to leveraging the research strengths of each country to enhance the capabilities needed to transform infectious disease outbreak prediction and prevention.
This joint effort will further already strong research partnerships – and encourage new ones – toward predictive intelligence of future outbreaks in an integrated system of rapid detection, analysis, modelling and countermeasures.
Read the full collaborative statement.
Joint efforts against COVID-19
UKRI and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) issued a joint statement highlighting our shared commitment to strengthening global collaborations.
The statement was made in an effort to encourage openness and data-sharing and to help ensure diagnostics, vaccines and preventions measures are developed rapidly for the benefit of every nation.
Throughout this crisis, the UKRI China team in Beijing has been supporting the bilateral research and innovation funding relationships and our friends and colleagues around the world.
In the joint statement between UKRI and NSFC, it is acknowledged that the virus has sparked global concern and that:
It is a common challenge facing humankind and requires joint efforts of all countries.
Read the full UK-China statement.
Mobilising science
UKRI is participating in a workshop organised by the OECD Global Science Forum (GSF) as the first in a series of events that will bring together international research organisations to discuss the challenges and needs of the science and research community during COVID-19.
The workshop will contribute to a new activity strand conducted by the OECD GSF called ‘Mobilising science in times of crises’.
Last updated: 15 April 2021