Following the debate in plenary on 20 February, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the importance of supporting measures to improve international scientific cooperation with Africa, and acknowledged the increasing trend among policy-makers in Africa to prioritize science and technology (S&T) and innovation for development.

Parliament recognises the valuable contribution of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), its S&T consolidated plan of action and the S&T programmes of the African Union, and asks for the relevant measures to be improved. It underlines the need to increase the involvement of African scientists in international collaborative science and research and development (R&D) projects in order to keep and develop R&D knowledge in Africa, in particular in specific sectors such as food, health and energy. Parliament recalls the special relevance of neglected diseases within the 7th Research Framework Programme and considers that special emphasis should be placed on research into HIV/AIDS in African countries.

The resolution calls for the reinforcement of existing research infrastructure in accordance with the indications of the African Union and the African scientific community, in particular in specific sectors such as food, health and energy. Member States are urged to promote S&T cooperation with Africa that will rapidly secure comprehensive development of the knowledge and technologies in the African countries themselves.

Scientific progress contributes to the economic and social development envisaged in the Millennium Development Goals. Parliament calls on the EU to place climate change at the forefront of its S&T cooperation with Africa, tapping primarily into the huge renewable energy sources available in Africa, with particular reference to solar energy. Member States are urged to promote knowledge and technology transfer between the EU and Africa, along with R&D projects, under a new coherent framework for action to achieve immediate and long-term goals for sustainable development, and develop policy and resources accordingly.

Laslty, Parliament calls on the EU and t Member States to ensure greater consistency between the EU's international S&T policy and the basic needs of African countries, thus leading to the development of a new global framework for science and diplomacy with Africa.

The House held a debate, following on the Commission statement, on scientific and technological cooperation with Africa.

A motion for a resolution winding up this debate was due to be put to the vote on 21 February 2008.