Cooperation with Central and South America

Germany has traditionally had close cultural, political, and economic ties to the countries in Central and South America, making this region an important cooperation partner. With the help of bilateral cooperation in the areas of education and research, the German Federal Government can maintain and expand the well-established relations with priority countries in Latin America in a targeted way.

Another aim of bilateral cooperation in education and research is to further increase links between organizations in Europe and Latin America, such as the EU, MERCOSUR and NAFTA, in order to be able to use synergies to our mutual advantage. Currently, the BMBF's activities in Latin America mainly focus on four countries:

• 

  topic Ministry

  Argentina

  Argentina is highly active in the field of scientific research and development. The country's R&D structure is well integrated in international collaborations.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/5307.php)
   
  
• 

  topic Ministry

  Brazil

  Brazil is Germany's most important cooperation partner in Latin America in the area of education and research. The two countries jointly support large-scale environmental and sustainability research projects as well as numerous projects in the areas of biotechnology and health research, to name but a few. In addition, the BMBF supports a wide range of measures for technology transfer.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/5316.php)
   
  
• 

  topic Ministry

  Chile

  Chile's scientific research and development activities are well developed. The country's research and development system is successfully integrated in international collaborations, and presented itself accordingly in the previous (6th) EU Framework Programme.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/5283.php)
   
  
• 

  topic Ministry

  Mexico

  Mexico has a special position among Germany's partners in Latin America. This is not only due to Mexico's importance in the region and its economic strength, but is also a result of the traditionally close cultural and economic ties between the two countries. The agreement on scientific and technological cooperation (STC) has formed the basis for bilateral cooperation in education, research and technology for decades. It has contributed to intensify the good relations between Germany and Mexico. In 2008, Mexico introduced an ambitious programme (PECITI - 2008-2012). It plans to join the the world's 20% most competitive countries by 2030.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/5285.php)