U.S. – UK Joint Committee Meeting Strengthens Emerging Technology Cooperation

On May 20-21, 2024, delegations from the United States and the United Kingdom met in London for the inaugural Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) on science and technology (S&T) cooperation.  This convening builds upon the Atlantic Declaration’s commitment to bilateral research and development (R&D) cooperation.  The JCM focused on synthetic biology, quantum, and artificial intelligence as outlined in the June 2023 Action Plan for a Twenty-First Century U.S.-UK Economic Partnership .  It builds upon a strong foundation of existing bilateral and multilateral science and technology cooperation that spans sectors from basic sciences to health to agriculture.

Jason Donovan, Director for the Office of Science and Technology Cooperation at the U.S. Department of State, co-chaired the discussion with Georgina Ayre, Deputy Director for Global Research and Innovation at the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.   The U.S. delegation included leaders and experts from the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the U.S. Department of State.  The participating agencies and organizations from the UK included the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; UK Research and Innovation; and the UK Science and Innovation Network.  The meeting was convened under the bilateral Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, which has been in force since 2017.

Critical and emerging technologies are forming the backbone of new industries and shaping our national security landscape.  Close partnership between the United States and the United Kingdom on the foundational R&D underpinning quantum, artificial intelligence, and synthetic biology—grounded in our shared values— is essential.  This collaboration will advance responsible innovation in new sectors while promoting job creation and economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic.

For further information, please contact OES-Press@state.gov.