Atlantic cooperation goes ahead

The EU has agreed to work with Brazil and South Africa on research and innovation relating to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Belém agreement, signed on 13 July, aims to improve knowledge of marine ecosystems and the relationship between oceans and climate change. It will do so by increasing research cooperation among the signatories.

Carlos Moedas, the research commissioner, said in a speech that the agreement covered not just ocean science, but also food security and ocean technology. It could facilitate collaboration on innovations such as drug development and clean energy, he said.