In addition, the Ministerial Committee for Science and Technology approved: the formulation of a national plan to promote the Blue-Tech field in Israel
A collaboration between the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology and the BARD Foundation, the binational fund for agricultural research and development of the USA and Israel was signed last week. As part of this collaboration, four million NIS will be invested in the first phase to support applied research in the field of food security. In this program, scientists from Israel and the United States will team up with researchers from the United States to solve the current problems in the field that occupy both countries to develop innovative approaches to food production and consumption.
This program is another pillar of the foundation's efforts to support research and development in the fields of food and nutrition. An Israeli-American think tank will recommend priorities that will also include: promoting healthy and sustainable eating habits, developing personalized food products, researching the interrelationships between eating habits and chronic diseases and developing a body of knowledge about new foods.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Ofir Akunis: "The signing of the new agreement is further proof of the deepening of the scientific-technological cooperation between Israel and the USA. The new agreement between the two countries strengthens long-standing scientific ties that are getting stronger and stronger in areas that are the top priorities of both Israel and the US."
Prof. Yoram Kapolnik, CEO of Keren BARD, said: "Food security requires, among other things, the supply of healthy, fresh and nutritious food that matches the nutritional needs of the population. Because food directly affects our quality of life and proper nutrition can improve and reduce chronic illness and improve general health. Unfortunately, we recognize dietary patterns in which we consume processed and ultra-processed food that harms the health of the population and causes obesity, many chronic diseases and even mortality. Changing dietary patterns, and finding a healthy, research-based diet is even more important today due to the changing environmental conditions and the difficulty of making them accessible to the population.
Nutritional security is a topic that is at the top of the research priorities in Israel and the US. The more our food is of better quality, more accessible and safer - we will all benefit. Through the research with the best researchers in the USA, we will also be able to help populations with unique nutritional needs, populations at risk, and especially the young, who are the key to the next generation."
Promotion of the blue-tech field - marine technology
The Ministerial Committee for Innovation, Science and Technology chaired by Minister Ofir Akunis approved last week (Wed) the national plan for the promotion of the Blue-Tech field in Israel, which is led by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology and in cooperation with all the relevant government ministries and bodies.
The decision presented today to the ministers includes the construction of a multi-year plan for regulatory assistance and the removal of barriers to the establishment of R&D infrastructures and the investment of companies, R&D bodies and entrepreneurs in the field of marine innovation, while maintaining the balance between economic development and the preservation of the marine environment.
The program is expected to contribute to the development of a broad, diverse and world-leading ecosystem in the field of Blue-Tech, which will be a growth engine for the blue economy, will promote Israel in three essential circles: in the economic, political and security fields and will help Israel face national challenges by developing the sea as a renewable resource. sustainable
The decision to promote the national program in the field of Blue-Tech was made after Minister Ofir Akunis entered the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology and after the publication of the national priority areas of the State of Israel that were established in accordance with the minister's policy and with the aim of preserving Israel's global leadership in diverse technological fields and marching the State of Israel towards economic growth and resilience My security is stable and leading.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Ofir Akunis: "I welcome the decision and thank all the partners from all government ministries and the various bodies for their efforts to promote the field.
The field of Blue-Tech, maritime innovation, has tremendous potential to advance Israel in three vital circles for Israel: the economic field, the political field and the security field.
I have no doubt that the sea is a national resource, and especially the removal of barriers to maritime innovation. Bring economic prosperity, better protection of our natural resources and Israel's food security.'
In order to formulate the plan, cooperation was initiated between the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology and the National Economic Council, within which a broad thinking forum was established to promote Blue Tech in Israel. The thinking forum convened in the months of August-December 2022 with the participation of over 30 entities operating in the maritime space of the State of Israel and decided on the formulation of a dedicated national plan for Blue-Tech. In order to formulate the plan, 13 thematic work teams were established in 3 axes, which dealt with the formulation of the various chapters in the plan and acted under the guidance of a steering committee led by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology and the National Economic Council. The results of the teams were presented to the thinking forum, and consolidated into a unified national plan for the promotion of BlueTech in Israel.
The committee determined that the detailed multi-year national plan for the years 2024-2028 will be submitted for government approval within 240 days, as a basis for a wider use of the sea as a national resource.
