With Germany holding the G7 Presidency this year, the respective Science Ministers met this month, in Frankfurt, from 12 to 14 June 2022. The Ukrainian Minister of Science, Serhiy Shkarlet, was also invited to attend.

The science ministers discussed current issues and challenges in the area of research and science. Regarding Ukraine, the Ministers reaffirmed their condemnation of Russian aggression and re-confirmed their full solidarity to Ukrainians.

The German Minister of Education and Research, Bettina Stark-Watzinger, underlined the importance of strengthening research cooperation with Ukraine and offering prospects for all refugees, students and researchers who are currently in the country. She also noted that “joint efforts in science and research are the key to tackling the challenges ahead. Only by using science and research can we be successful here”.

Last month the G7+ Partners Higher Education Summit 2022 was hosted by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) – one of the founding member organisations of ACA. They issued a joint “Berlin Declaration on International Academic Cooperation amidst a World in Crisis” which you can read here.