Australia and Germany held a joint science and technology meeting (JSTM) in Canberra on 7 February 2024 – the first since November 2020.
The meeting was co-chaired by officials from both countries:
- Ms Helen Wilson, Deputy Secretary, Science and Technology Group, Department of Industry, Science and Resources for Australia.
- Mr Armin Reinartz, Director-General in the Department of European and International Cooperation in Education and Research, Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for Germany.
A wide range of organisations took part in the JSTM including:
- Germany’s Leibniz Association, Fraunhofer Institute and Helmholtz Assocation
- Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the Australian Research Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
The meeting included presentations on Australian and German collaboration on green hydrogen, climate adaptation and polar and marine sciences. Delegates discussed potential for closer collaboration in batteries, semiconductors and robotics.
We look forward to continuing our strong relations and progressing mutual goals in science and technology. Germany and Australia will continue to update each other on topics of mutual interest.
The JSTM falls under the Agreement between Australia and the Federal Republic of Germany on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (1976).