JOINT AGREEMENT TO PROMOTE SCIENCE

The Australian and Brazilian governments have signed an agreement that promotes the cooperative development of science and technology. 

The agreement was signed by Australian Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Arthur Sinodinos, and Brazil's Ambassador to Australia Manuel Innocencio de Lacerda Santos Jr.

"Both our countries understand that science, technology, and innovation are vital for economic growth and job creation," Sinodinos said in a statement. "Science has helped make lives longer and healthier across the world, and this agreement will only make collaboration between our two nations easier."

The countries have previously worked on scientific projects in areas such as physical and biological sciences, clinical medicine, and astronomy. It is hoped that this agreement will continue Australia's long-standing relationship with Brazil, and support "institution-to-institution and researcher-to-researcher links".

In collaborations with Brazil, Australia has promised to provide $36 million over five years under the National Innovation and Science Agenda's Global Innovation Strategy. It has also provided $17 million under agreements from the Australian Research Council, and the National Health and Medical Research Council.

This is not the only international science agreement Australia is part of, signing off an agreement with Israel earler this year designed to promote 'bilateral cooperation in technological innovation, research, and development', enabling Australian companies to take advantage of opportunities in Israel's biotechnology, IT, and research and development sectors.

Australia and New Zealand also have a signed agreement to work together on tackling chronic disease, advancing general healthcare, and improving the accuracy and availability of GPS signals.

Finally, Australia and China have a joint agreement focused on the exchange of ideas and joint funding. The agreement declares that both countries should contribute up to AU$6 million over three years to the next round of the Joint Research Centres, under the Australia-China Science and Research Fund (ACSRF).

Australia and China have also signed a memorandum of understanding on intellectual property, which Sinodinos said would help Australian businesses better navigate the Chinese intellectual property system.